IT’S obvious that a winning habit has to develop on the field of play if West Indies cricket is to pull itself out of the financial crisis which we are told threatens sustainability.

Since its famous conquest of england in that country in 1950, West Indies cricket has repeatedly captured global admiration with its flair, panache, artistry, and conquests. however, despite famous ICC T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016, West Indies have been in mostly dismal decline over the last two to three decades.

So much so, that the champions of the first two One-Day International (ODI) World Cups in 1975 and 79, and beaten finalists in 1983 failed to qualify for the 2023 tournament.

Yet again the regional team will have to participate in qualifiers set for next February in order to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Hence the importance of results in the regional team’s just-ended white-ball tour of India. West Indies played well, but lost a high-scoring, record-breaking three-match ODI series 1-2 to their hosts.

The Darren Sammy-coached squad then came from behind twice to be tied 2-2 with their powerful hosts in the T20 leg of the tour — containing yet more record scores — when rain ruined what would have been the series decider. White-ball captain Mr Shai hope was outstanding, leading from the front with the bat.

To properly appreciate Mr Sammy’s insistence that the T20 results especially, represent considerable success, it needs to be appreciated that the last time West Indies won a bilateral cricket series of any kind in India was 23 years ago, 2002-03.

The coach tells us that, “We [West Indies] understand what success means to us; we don’t ever take for granted where we are as a team and the challenges that we face. We just look to make those strides, and I think after this series we’ve taken a massive step. We played against the defending champions and we’ve matched them, [and] in certain areas we’ve outplayed them… in their backyard.”

There is little or no rest for Mr Sammy who is also West Indies head coach in the five-day, Test match format. he is now guiding the roston Chase-led squad on a two-Test tour of rapidly improving Bangladesh, starting next Tuesday.

In mid-year, Mr Chase and his men won a two-match home series against Sri Lanka 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Pakistan, also in the Caribbean.

However, prior to then, a dismal run in the current ICC Test-match championship cycle means that even a 2-0 series win in Bangladesh would still leave the Caribbean men in the bottom half of the championship table — at sixth.

Yet, any improvement on the last cycle, 20232025, which ended with the West Indies at eighth, would be welcome.

In that respect, we note Mr Sammy’s comment that “At the start of this World Test Championship cycle we set ourselves goals, and one of them was to finish in the top half of the rankings. Winning this series would move us closer to it. Playing Bangladesh in their conditions will be challenging, [but] we’re ready ….”

Our best wishes are with the West Indies Test match squad in Bangladesh.