ADELAIDE, Australia,  CMC – John Buchanan has urged the sport’s World governing body to make West Indies cricket a charity case.

The former Australia coach believes the International Cricket Council should inject money, manpower, and other vital resources into West Indies cricket to save the game in the region.

“The ICC must intervene in West Indian cricket,” he said. “It is a massive job, but a strong West Indian team is essential for the future of World cricket.”

Buchanan is the latest high-profile cricket personality to insist on ICC assistance for the game in the Caribbean. It follows similar calls from former England captain Mike Atherton and others.

“They need to work out how all the problems there can best be attacked over the shortest period of time,” he said.

“This is so important, even if the ICC diverts resources from other countries. The West Indies have been crying out for help over a long period of time.

“It is a major concern that the performance and the consistency of the Test side has been so inconsistent and abysmal.”

Buchanan feels the time for action is now, and he feels that the governing body should have a “major say”, but should not wrest control from the West Indies Cricket Board.

“All of the problems in West Indian cricket haven’t just happened,” he said. “They’ve been happening over the past 20 years.

“Some of the things we take for granted in Australia, things like good training facilities and talent identification programmes, are not available in the Caribbean.”

West Indies are currently visiting Australia, where they trail 0-1 in a three-Test series, following a humiliating innings and 65 runs defeat inside three days in the opening Test at the Gabba.