Richie Richardson. Picture by Santosh Ghosh

Chennai: Richie Richardson, one of the stalwarts of his time and a former captain of the West Indies, spoke to The Telegraph for over half-an-hour on Saturday.

Richardson, now 49, is the West Indies’ manager.

The following are excerpts

Q Player, captain, manager... You’ve worn just about every hat...

A (Laughs) Yeah... It’s nice to be involved... I’ve got a two-year contract, which ends in February 2013... I have very fond memories of India... My Test debut was in Mumbai (November 1983) and my last match in the West Indies colours was in Mohali (March 1996, during the sixth World Cup).

How long did it take you to settle down in this new role?

Initially, when people said ‘manager’, I’d look around, trying to find him! It’s fine now... I see this as yet another opportunity to contribute to West Indies cricket and I intend doing my bit.

That you’re a former captain must be helping the think tank, isn’t it?

I hope so... I was a positive batsman and I’ve always been a positive person and, so, when I do speak to the players, I ask them to be positive. Ask them to be confident and to be high on self-belief.

You began playing when the West Indies were at the top... The past many years, though, have seen a distinct decline. Have you been pained?

The period when we began to nosedive was most painful, when the administrators just didn’t do enough for cricket... You neither become the best in the world nor the worst overnight... Happens over a period of time and if the alarm bells go off, then you’ve got to sit up and take notice. You’ve got to identify the problem and put in place corrective measures.

Did the West Indies take a lot for granted?

Of course... We assumed that we’d be world-beaters, that we’d produce world-class players... We’ve been getting the talent, but not at the pace and not in the numbers we’d like. Belatedly, at least, the administrators are planning and are looking ahead... Structures have been put in place, objective being to get us back to the top. Ideally, the structures should have been up and running when we were still doing very well.

Apparently, there were financial constraints...

Finances have been a challenge... Now, the effort is being made and I can’t fault the Board at this point in time. However, we still have to sort out a few things before we’re fully on the track forward.

What about the frequent rows between the players and the Board over contracts?

Look, I can’t comment on that, for the simple reason that I’ve not been involved. I do hope that the problems are a thing of the past and that we’re going ahead on a positive note.

Darren Sammy’s appointment as captain took most of us by surprise. What was your reaction?

Wouldn’t say I was surprised... In my view, he’s been doing a very good job.

You’ve given Sammy high marks... What qualities should a captain have?

You can’t be in the seat if you don’t have an excellent knowledge of the game, if you don’t have the ability to read situations and if you can’t adequately react to them. That’s not all... You’ve got to yourself be a performer, command respect and generally be smart.

Is there a shelf life for captains?

Depends on the individual... Depends on how he has embraced the job, his level of passion... Whether he’s performing... Can’t say it’s two years or three or four years.

Pressure, I assume, plays a part...

The way it’s handled is definitely important. Of course, there comes a time when you’ve got to move on, vacate the seat.

How is pressure best overcome?

By staying as calm as possible. What makes the difference is how you handle such situations.

Captaincy affected your batting...

Back then, I didn’t have the support captains today have... There were no full-fledged coaches, no analysts... Nowadays, the support staff is so massive. I had to end up doing just about everything and, as a result, wasn’t able to devote enough time to my own game. It had to suffer and it did.

So, you weren’t able to manage your time in the manner you would have liked?

Look, everybody wanted a piece of me and I couldn’t say no... I usually don’t.

But are that many actually required to be on the support staff?

I think so... The responsibilities are spelt out... Compare a cricket team to a government, which has different ministers for different portfolios... People don’t need to interfere, but they do need to know what others are doing.

You continue to play for Lashings (in the UK) every summer...

Yes, we raise funds for charity. It’s one way of giving something back to the game... I run a Masters tournament in Antigua, which is an annual event.

What’s your take on Indian cricket?

There have always been great players, but it’s only now that India’s at the top in Test cricket and close to the top in ODIs... India’s invested in the development of the game and, obviously, that’s paying dividends. The IPL, in my view, has also made a difference.

You’ve been bowled over...

Opportunities have been created for the players and the audience has grown. Everybody watches the IPL... My only concern is over Test cricket, for I wouldn’t like it to take a hit. Test cricket has to remain the most important form.

Do you have a message for the administrators?

Not a message, but space has to be found for all forms and the wishes of the public can’t be disregarded. If they want T20, well, give it to them. At the same time, ensure that Tests and ODIs don’t suffer.

But what should be the vehicle for globalisation?

Can’t be Test cricket, it will have to be T20... But, then, Test cricket has to be made attractive... It’s for the administrators to work out how... The balance has to be right.

The 50-over game seems to be there to stay...

It should... The champion team in this tournament will be known as the winner of the World Cup... Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Is cricket in the West Indies still threatened by the beaming of baseball and basketball from the US?

There’s more cricket on TV now, which is good... It wasn’t so till some years ago. Kids watch what is shown to them and, if they turned to baseball and basketball, it was because there was so little of cricket on TV. Bottom line is the marketing.

What does it make to be successful?

Talent, the right environment, proper infrastructure... I’d say catch ’em young.

Sir Frank Worrell and, then, Clive Lloyd... They ensured that the players bonded as one, without the island-mentality getting the better of them... How is it now?

I’m not aware of factions.

Finally... You’re into the tourism business...

(Laughs) I run Richie Rich, a sports and leisure company based in Antigua... I organise tours, which feature cricket, beach parties, fishing... The works... I’m also an ambassador-at-large, promoting the industry in Antigua... Tourism, as you know, is big there.