Development of The Test Captaincy of West Indies - 2000s

2000s

Feb 2000

On 25 February 2000 Lara resigns as West Indies captain after New Zealand defeat, owing to lack of success in two years in the post, and took a sabbatical.

March 2000

Jimmy Adams appointed skipper for the series at home against Zimbabwe and then in England. Franklyn Rose and Chris Gayle were not considered for the tour of Australia, according to selector Mike Findlay because of "attitude problems during the trip to England"

2001

After two series wins, against Pakistan and Zimbabwe, and then losses to England and Australia, Jimmy Adams quit. Carl Hooper became captain again (coming out of retirement at age 35).

Troubles continued around the team. Rumours that manager of the West Indies team, Ricky Skerritt, and coach Roger Harper would be replaced after 15 months of a three-year contract. Psychologist Joe Hoad, a qualified sports psychologist and son of 1930 West Indies captain Teddy Hoad, appointed to the West Indies team on tour in December 2000 was at odds with Skerritt. Hoad resigned citing "major problems" among the players, including general indifference, low fitness levels and an aversion to hard work.

31 March 2003

Brian Lara was appointed West Indies captain for a second time. Lara was reinstated after being persuaded by then president Wes Hall to return when Carl Hooper was dismissed after the West Indies' first round exit from the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

"The angry Hooper refused to make a decision whether he would be available to play. After three days he declined to play under Lara, ending his Test career at the age of 36. They had been good friends. Now a firm friendship was ended.".

2004

Bennett King eventually accepted the job of coach on a three-year contract up to the 2007 World Cup. King was not only a member of the selection committee, he also had the casting vote, while the captain was not even to be a selector.

18 March 2005

Lara would not commit to play in the home series against South Africa during a protracted dispute over individual and team sponsorship, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul was appointed captain instead.

12 April 2006

Chanderpaul's resignation as skipper, following the tour of New Zealand. The selectors recalled Brian Lara, mainly on the insistence of new Trinidadian WICB president, Ken Gordon.

April 2007

At the end of 2007 World Cup Brian Lara retired. Ramnaresh Sarwan was appointed skipper. Chair of Selectors Gordon Greenidge said Daren Ganga was the only other person considered, but in July, Chris Gayle became skipper when Sarwan was injured, despite WICB having earlier vetoed his appointment.

October 2007

Six months' after Bennett King's resignation, John Dyson, formerly coach of Sri Lanka, took over as coach, to work with Gayle who retained the captaincy when Sarwan returned from injury.