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West Indies legends Desmond Haynes and Deryck Murray have called for a major shake-up in the structure of cricket in the Caribbean in order to drag the team out of the doldrums.

The comments of former Windies captain and opening batsman Haynes, and former vice-captain and wicketkeeper Murray, came in the wake of the

West Indies losing the opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka by 121 runs on Wednesday.

Haynes, who played 116 Tests and 237 ODI between 1978 and 1994, pleaded with the West Indies Cricket Board to establish a long overdue academy.

“Too much money is being spent by the WICB by bringing in these coaches from outside, when we in the Caribbean can do a better job,” he said.

Haynes feels more resources shoortantly, I think that they will be better served at the Academy than being around the Test team for just a few days before a match.”

The WICB has indicated that an academy is set for roll-out later this year as part of its Strategic Plan for the next four years, and they are finalising negotiations with possible financiers.

Murray, who played 62 Tests and 26 ODIs, is now the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and, as a result, a director of the WICB.

Murray feels that authorities in the Caribbean must stop fooling themselves into believing that a change in fortunes is just around the corner.

“If we win a Test match in 2008 and people say that we have started the rebuilding process then this is a disgrace to all the players who have worn the maroon cap before,” said Murray.

“We have a world record for a team in the rebuilding phase. We have been rebuilding for 15 years, and the process still continues.

“The only time we will rebuild West Indies cricket is when we stop fooling ourselves, and start doing the things that would take our cricket back up the ladder.

“We in the Caribbean are always looking for the easy way out and this is doing us no good. What is needed at this time is for fans in the Caribbean to pressurise all stakeholders to ensure that they do the right things to initiate the rebuilding process.”

Source:Cricket News