The former West Indies bowling star, Michael Holding, has sternly criticised the current crop of Test players saying they seem "'too interested in money".

Holding, the destroyer of many batsmens' Test hopes, says the current team are not trying hard enough for their country.

"A lot of them think about how much money they are earning before their commitment to the West Indies.

Michael Holding in action

"We need to re-educate the cricketers, perhaps they don't realise how important it is for West Indians all over the world that the West Indies do good at cricket ... they must at least look like they are trying their best."

Holding's comments come during a lean time for West Indian cricket. Inter-island rivalry and recent poor form in the Sharjah one-day tournament -- which England won -- have put pressure on the team who play the first Test against England on Thursday.

Also, many young people in the region are turning their backs on cricket and playing soccer and basketball. This, observers claim, is due to the influence of American satellite television.

The young men of the West Indies now appear to want to be the next Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, than a Viv Richards or Curtly Ambrose.

Bryan Holford, the Games Master at Harrison College in Jamaica says that satellite television is causing the demise of cricket in his school.

"You can see basketball, tennis, soccer and virtually any other sport but you're not seeing cricket."

Despite the damning indictment from one of the West Indies best ever bowlers, and their recent poor form, England cannot underestimate them.

Time and again the Windies have proved that when they are down they are by no means out. England will have to post big scores and hope their bowlers can remove players like Brian Lara before they open up and dominate.

If England win the series it will be the first time since 1968 - a task that will take England's full resolve to achieve.
 

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