CATEGORY:SPORTS (CRICKET)
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Reprinted from CMC
Friday, November 03, 2006

JAIPUR, India (CMC) - Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd said Wednesday he was pleased with the way the West Indies players had responded to his advice.


LLOYD... I gave them a more professional outlook on the game
Lloyd, who led the West Indies in 74 Tests, along with the 1975, 1979 and 1983 Cricket World Cups, has been attached to the West Indies squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in India.

"With the benefit of your experience that you would have had in the past it is to try and see if you could correct one or two things which they were doing wrong and give them a more professional outlook on the game itself," the 62-year-old said.
"I suppose I was like a father and the guys know exactly what [I've] done and responded to the things I asked them to do in the nets. I think they have been very responsive and I am quite happy about that.

"[I'm] just an advisor to them on all aspects of the game. It's good because we have a lot of young players in the side. We have quite a few talented young men who seem quite professional in their approach. I do not feel alienated coming back into the scene."

Lloyd's presence has coincided with the West Indies' superb run in the Champions Trophy. After being forced to qualify for the main draw, they won two of their three preliminary matches to reach the penultimate phase of the tournament.
In yesterday's semi-final, they beat South Africa by six wickets to gain a berth in the final on Sunday.

"It (the semi-final) is a big occasion. They would like to retain the trophy and be the first team to do so," Lloyd said before yesterday's match.

"I don't think a lot of people gave them a chance of even qualifying and you had the indignity of having to qualify to get into the tournament, which I found very strange. We came through that with flying colours though. We've knocked out quite a few big teams and I'm sure we will do well in the future.

"I think we have a very good one-day squad at the moment. Now we have to move on to being a very good Test side. We have a chance of qualifying and going to the finals and I think the players are up for it and looking to win this trophy again."
In the final in Mumbai, West Indies will meet Australia, whom they beat in their first preliminary match two weeks ago.