Murray not optimistic over Windies chances

DERYCK MURRAY, former West Indies cricket team wicket-keeper and vice-captain, is not very optimistic about the regional side’s chances at the current ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“Their ranking is at number eight,” said Murray, during a telephone interview. “I think that would be the expectation of their performance.

“As a supporter of West Indies cricket, I would like the West Indies to win the World Cup but present circumstances, present form, the composition of the team doesn’t fill us with optimism.”

Murray was part of the only victorious West Indies World Cup teams, in 1975 and 1979 under the captaincy of present chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd; Murray was Lloyd’s deputy in the 1979 team.

Asked about the mindset of players who compete at the World Cup level, Murray replied, “you have to be mentally prepared. You have to have the confidence in your own teammates and you really have to have the belief that you can win, that you’re going to win, that you want to win. You prepare towards that aim.”

He continued, “because of how the team was playing, we knew each other, we know what we were capable of. We were confident that we could win but, of course, you have to perform.

“It’s no good saying that on paper you have a good team. Everything we brought together and made sure that we executed our plans.”