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'It comes down to an individual taking on the responsibility'
The wicket didn't get anybody out," lamented Ottis Gibson, shortly after the West Indies suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan, thereby abruptly ending their World Cup campaign.
"It was a combination of poor batting and lack of confidence," continued the coach, explaining the Caribbean performance (rather lack of it) that saw them struggle to a meager 112 runs after opting to bat first in the first semi-final of the World Cup on Wednesday.
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Gibson was categorical in his criticism of the team's batting line-up.
"Our batsmen didn't perform consistently throughout the tournament," he admitted, adding, "You can do as much on the nets.
"Eventually, it comes down to an individual taking on the responsibility."
'Not happy with the performance of our seniors'
The coach also was blunt in his opinion about the efforts of the senior members in the squad.
"I am not very happy with the performance of our senior players," he said, denying that he was getting a tad too critical.
"It is not a criticism but fact," said Gibson, adding, "And the fact is that the senior players haven't performed well at all in this tournament."
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The coach though spared his captain (Darren Sammy) the blushes.
"Taking the situation into account, the captain is doing the best he can," he admitted.
"But, as a player, he has not performed as well as he was expected to and he understands that," he added.
'Have to ensure changes happen as soon as possible'
The West Indies have not beaten a top cricketing nation since June 2009, when it beat India at Sabina Park (Jamaica), and Wednesday's loss to Pakistan extended that unwanted record to 35 matches.
Asked what is to be done to get West Indies cricket back on track from the abysmal depths it has thrust itself into, Gibson was again categorical.
"West Indies cricket has pretty much been the same for the last 10 years," he said, adding, "It is time when some serious decisions have to be made about the players.
"And we will have to ensure the changes happen as soon as possible."