He was hauled over the coals for leaving out Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard and critics have questioned his presence with the team at the ICC Cricket World Cup, but captain Jason Holder says they are loving every moment of Clive Lloyd in the dressing room.
Lloyd, the 70-year-old bespectacled, former captain of the victorious 1975 and 1979 World Cups, is now Chairman of Selectors travelling with the team throughout New Zealand and Australia. It is customary for a selector to be present on tours, but Lloyd has been with the team ever since he took over on tours to India, South Africa and now the World Cup, liasing with fellow selectors Courtney Walsh, Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne back in the West Indies.
“Having Clive Lloyd with us has been inspiring. He has been there and done it before and to have him in our camp is a plus for us,” said Holder. “He brings a lot to the team with his tremendous experience and more than that, he experience of being a world champion. He has fit in well with the guys, he is well respected and we are happy to have the benefit of his knowledge because he is ready and willing to share with us.”
The West Indies though have had a rough time since Lloyd have taken over. There tour of India was controversially abandoned after they were 2-1 down in the series; they lost the Test Series in South Africa 2-0; won the T20 Series 2-1 and lost the ODI series 4-1. Lloyd is expected to attend a special function to be held by the ICC in Perth.
