Garner is manager of the West Indies side currently visiting Australia for a series of three Tests, and has heard first-hand calls for the Caribbean side – in particular – and others to be demoted to a second-tier of Test cricket.
The criticism has escalated in the aftermath of the dreadful defeat of Chris Gayle’s side in the opening Test against Ricky Ponting’s Baggy Greens by an innings and 65 runs inside three days at the Gabba last week.
Even Kim Hughes, whose Test career ended in ignominy 25 years ago, when he resigned from the post of Australia captain in tears, following a crushing series defeat at the hands of a West Indies side that included Garner, thinks the current side is a “joke” and should be barred from Tests.
But Garner believes many of the critics have short memories, and their suggestions are nothing short of “selfish”.
“When other teams weren’t doing so well, and we were playing exciting cricket, we were relied upon so they could boost revenues,” Garner told website Cricinfo.
“People forget how much money West Indies cricket has generated for the World when we were the team of choice for host countries.
“The West Indies team was invited to Australia in 1984 to bring people through the gates and there was no suggestion from our end that we wouldn’t come. I think some people need to look at the bigger picture.”
Other high-profile figures like former England captain Mike Atherton and former Australia coach John Buchanan agree with Garner’s sentiment, and feel that the International Cricket Council, the sport’s World governing body, should take a greater interest in helping West Indies to strengthen its structure.
Naturally, Garner felt the idea of segregating the haves and the have-nots in World cricket was hollow, and would not make Tests more attractive.
“It’s a selfish way to live your life,” he said. “You’re basically saying, ‘We’re OK so to hell with you’.
“A four-team competition makes no sense. If we want eight competitive teams rather than just four, administrators need to look at new ways of sharing their revenue.
He added: “West Indies need re-branding, and it would be to the benefit of everybody if that happened.
“We are 16 islands that span 1,500 miles from Jamaica to Guyana with six million people where resources are scarce.”
Garner continued: “We can get away with it up through the juniors, but if a player really wants to better himself, it is difficult when there are only six or eight first-class games a year. What we need is a professional league.
“We are not looking for hand-outs just ways of looking at the way cricket’s revenue is shared to improve the game in the Caribbean.”
