And the players deserve exactly what the foreign media has been dishing out in the recent past.

The greats of the game, like Viv Richards and Curtly Ambrose are right, naturally, when they say the administrators must accept some of the blame for the dismal state of West Indies cricket, but I think on an individual level, the regional players must accept that they are doing precious little to improve the situation.

Which of the current crop of young emerging players across the region stamped their authority on the tournament?

None!

I just can’t accept that these guys are doing anything tangible to lift the standard of their game; hard work brings results but that’s simply not happening at the first class level in the West Indies, and if it doesn’t happen there, then don’t expect it to happen when the regional players move up a couple notches to international cricket.

On an individual level, for example, can’t the players at least attempt to live, train and play as professionals, even if we don’t have a professional league in the region.

Brian Lara may be a genius but got where he is today because he busted his arse, genius or not, in the nets working tirelessly to achieve greatness.

While he was still a little cub, dad Bunty used to have “hard-back” men bowling to him in the nets in Santa Cruz, for lengthy periods so he could fine-tune his batting to perfection.

What are these players around the region doing in their spare time? Which of the players have a coach assisting in developing their game? Why isn’t there a structure in place for all these former West Indian greats to work with a nucleus of young players in the hope of preparing them for the step up to international cricket?

Allrounder Richard Kelly started brilliantly as did Jamaican fast bowler Andrew Richardson, who took five for 32 in the game against Barbados, but neither could perform with the consistency that would force the selectors to underline their names for the tour to New Zealand.

And because of this lack of application and determination, the West Indies selectors have slipped further into their madness by recalling two journeymen of West Indies cricket, 31-year-olds Rawle Lewis and Ian Bradshaw.

Joey and the troops are clutching at straws in reality, but in a way, the selectors could argue their case given the indifferent performances by the regional youngsters.

Pity, because I reckon Lewis and Bradshaw won’t be able to cut it, and they would be expected to hit the ground running.

If they don’t they can’t be given an extended run at this stage of their careers.

The selectors are gambling dangerously with our very valuable and limited international opportunities with the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup a little more than a year away.

Perhaps the selectors should have been heartened by how well Bravo and Ramdin, two from the younger brigade, have adapted in a relatively short space of time.

Can’t we find two or three more emerging players like that?

West Indies cricket is dying and if we don’t move swiftly to stop the heamorrage, then things are going to get a lot worst when Lara calls it a day in the next three or four years.

If the West Indies is struggling now and hold little appeal as a competitor to the top international teams, what can we expect with a Lara-less team?

I will try to do my part.

First, I want to offer a little free advice: the selectors and the West Indies Cricket Board should seriously consider appointing Ramdin to lead the regional team in the World Cup.

His relatively young age and lack of experience are secondary to his apprenticeship as the West Indies Under-19 captain, obvious maturity beyond his years, calculating mind, combative nature, and ability to command his place in the team on performance.

Horses for courses, it is said, and Ramdin fits the bill perfectly.

All that’s left now is for the powers that be to have some courage, flair and a busload of faith.