The financial crisis looming over West Indies cricket has caused enough damage to the Caribbean cricket. The board is suffering with financial problems for a long period of time and it has led to several tiff between national players and the board. Although, the situation has seen some improvement for the core team in recent times, but the issue is still prevailing for the budding cricketers in the country as they lack training infrastructure and equipment.
In a recent development, former West Indies Test cricketer Winston Benjamin has sought help from an Indian cricketer and asked to provide cricket equipment. While interacting with veteran sports journalist Vimal Kumar, Winston Benjamin revealed that present financial condition of West Indies cricket is not good for budding cricketers, and urged the Indian cricketer to extend some help by providing equipment like bat, pad and balls. He also mentioned that he shares good bonding with Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin.
While sharing the ordeals of the budding cricketers in Caribbean nation, Winston Benjamin requested the master blaster to give attention to the issue and provide much-needed cricket equipment's to the budding cricketers. "I am not seeking any monetary value from anyone. I would like to urge Sachin Tendulkar if he can help the young cricketers, it would be really great," said Benjamin.
The pacer also shared his phone number on the camera, and expressed gratitude towards Mohammad Azharuddin for responding to his proposal and providing equipment's. “He sent some equipment. Congratulations Azhar! And thank you very much for your assistance. Stay in touch,” Benjamin added later.
He further asserted that he does not want 20000 US dollars and all he want somebody to say ‘here is some equipment- 10-15 bats.’
Speaking of Winston Benjamin's career, the right-arm pacer featured in 21 Tests and 85 ODIs for the Islanders and scalped a total of 161 wickets. Speaking of financial crisis in West Indies, Cricket West Indies President Ricky Skerritt recently claimed that pandemic forced the board to borrow money to pay players and staff wages but the board's debt has reduced to a third in his tenure.