Richie Richardson defends West Indies

Richie Richardson has defended West Indies' casual demeanour in the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Test series, saying the inexperienced side is working hard and looking to learn.

The tourists have attracted widespread criticism for loose strokes, lackadaisical fielding and an apparent lack of concern about Australia's unbridled dominance.

Richardson, who succeeded Viv Richards as West Indies skipper and scored nine Test tons against Australia, feels it has been unfair given players are hurting about the situation.

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Richardson, serving as team manager on the side's current tour, noted the side he led also played with a "laid-back" mindset.

"But we were doing well so people saw it as being cool," Richardson told ABC Radio.

"Now the same sort of approach and attitude is 'they're not interested' and stuff like that.

"There are times when the guys look a bit down but generally in the training sessions the guys are very lively and upbeat.

"We're working hard to try and get things right.

"The guys try their best. They could probably give a little bit more at times but generally speaking they always give their best."

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Richardson will become an International Cricket Council match referee at the end of the SCG Test.

The 53-year-old maintained Jason Holder's men could rise to be a power in world cricket again.

"If I didn't think so I wouldn't be here," he said.

"You never say die.

"We need a concerted effort from everybody in the Caribbean. We need to create that culture we had many years ago.

"It's not going to be easy but it can be done."

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West Indies' woes in the current series have been hard to miss - they've struggled with their batting, bowling and fielding.

However, the youngsters being outclassed by Australia are symbolic of the problems plaguing the sport in their homelands.

Richards described the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as being "rotten" earlier this year, while pace icon Michael Holding has also been highly critical.

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Richardson suggested the WICB was working "very, very hard" to fix their litany of problems, calling for unity among the many islands making up the organisation.

"We're obviously going through some difficult times but we have to be patient. We've got to keep working hard," he said.

"If we keep bashing each other, keep fighting and dividing the Caribbean - then we're not going to get anything.

"We have to come together as one. We need to unite.

"We need to realise that and come together as much as possible and stop bashing and dividing the people of the Caribbean."

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