Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):
A WIN in the Cricket World Cup is the momentum West Indies cricket needs, says Clive Lloyd, the man who guided the regional team to triumphs in the 1975 and 1979 editions of the event.
Reflecting on his side's effort in 1975, the inaugural staging of the World Cup in England, the 62-year old former West Indies captain said the impetus from that victory was crucial in the team's development.
"I think we can be a very formidable side. We are not too far off - this competition might give us the lift that is needed," Lloyd told CMC Sports.
"It's the same thing that happened in 1975. We won the World Cup when Australia were supposed to be the winners of it and from that we moved further up the ladder.
Something to be proud of
"I know that these guys (West Indies), if they can understand what is waiting for them out there, can give the West Indies people something to really be proud of, which they can and I hope they can do that in this World Cup because I can see that is thelift that we need.
"It would be a magnificent effort to do so (win the World Cup). People are calling other teams but they are still thinking that West Indies have a very good chance. It would give us that type of boost that is needed in the region."
The team will benefit from Lloyd's experience during the March 13 to April 28 tournament, after being recently appointed as team co-ordinator.
Originally appointed for the short four-match one-day international tour of India last month in place of regular manager Tony Howard, Lloyd will now oversee the team's upcoming campaign in the Caribbean.
Special advisor
He was appointed as special advisor to the team during their ICC Champions Trophy campaign in India last October and was credited with helping the team improve its performances as it reached the final of the tournament.
"You look at when they are batting and bowling or whatever and you try and work on the little things," Lloyd explained.
"You don't want to give them too many things because you can't change people overnight but you just give them enough that will improve their play and hopefully with the other people who are around - the other coaches - that we manage to put things together.
"Let's hope they have inculcated all the other things we have spoken to them about and that it will come to fruition in this World Cup."
