Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Skerritt: Rankings climb will be gradual

Published:Thursday | April 2, 2020 | 12:14 AM
Skerritt
Skerritt

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

CRICKET WEST Indies (CWI) President Ricky Skerritt has warned that the regional side’s climb up the rankings ladder will be a gradual one, noting he did not anticipate significant change during his first tenure.

The Windies are eighth in Tests, ninth in One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 10th in Twenty20 (T20) Internationals, the format in which they are reigning World champions.

The positions represent little change from when Skerritt assumed office in March last year, after beating three-term incumbent Dave Cameron.

“At no time did we promise a change of rankings within 12 months,” Skerritt told CNC3’s ViewPoint programme.

“[We have] to get teams performing at their best in the various types of cricket, male and female, and resulting in a significant improvement up the ladder to be at least in the top five.

“I don’t see that happening in the second year, either. I see us beginning to make the move up the ladder in the second year, but it won’t be jumps, more like one step at a time.”

Windies’ record has remained a dismal one over the last 12 months, losing two of three Tests, 13 of 24 ODIs, and eight of 14 Twenty20 Internationals.

Their one-day form, especially, remains a major concern, with their only two series wins inside the last seven years coming in recent months against Afghanistan and Ireland.

Skerritt, who along with Vice-President Dr Kishore Shallow vowed to tackle a range of governance and developmental issues while in office, said all other achievements would be insignificant if the Windies’ form did not improve during his tenure.

“Obviously, nothing that we do for however long will have any sustainable impact without a significant growth in performance and a rise up the ladder in the rankings. We’re very aware of that. I’ve said that openly,” Skerritt stressed.

“If at the end of the day, I leave this office with a much more transparent and accountable organisation that is doing a better job, that pales in comparison for the need for that better job to result in better cricket performances on the field. We’re very aware of that, and that is the ultimate objective.”