BRISBANE, Australia, CMC:
West Indies need a father figure to give them solid guidance in their three Test series against Australia next month Down Under.
Ian Chappell, the former Australia captain, believes West Indies need the drive of someone like Clive Lloyd to really get them going, if they are to be successful in the series.
"They really need someone like Clive Lloyd at this time, a father figure who can hold the team together and get the best out of them," Chappell told Caribbean cricket correspondent Tony Cozier in an interview.
Chappell does not think Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the man to get the best of the West Indies.
"Chanderpaul was predictable and reactive in Sri Lanka," he said, indicating that Sylvester Joseph had done a good job when he stood in for Chanderpaul on the Asian trip.
"The only time you felt there would be a wicket was if there was a good ball or the pitch did something, not from anything creative from the captain.
"The players aren't stupid. They know when the captain has ideas and is confident enough to put them into practice. It's a pity Joseph isn't a good enough batsman to be in the team because he was always looking to make something happen."
PROBLEMS AHEAD
Chappell feels there will be problems ahead for the team, following the split that developed over contractual dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board, and does not believe it is anything near the Kerry Packer situation almost 30 years ago.
"The West Indies at present don't have that kind of experience and class, and they're coming up against an Australian team that has regained its confidence after the defeat in the Ashes series and haven't lost a series at home in ages," Chappell said. "They need strong leadership more than ever."
The first Test of the series begins on November 3 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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