The former Australia opening batsman is now a member of the Channel 9 television commentary team bringing coverage of the current three-Test series between Australia and West Indies.
“Today’s West Indies cricketers need to forget the swashbuckling legends of their past, and forge a new reputation as a team willing and capable of playing some tough, working class Test cricket,” said Slater.
“Chris Gayle and his men can’t continue strutting the World stage believing they can bat with the arrogance of Sir Vivian Richards or bowl with the lethality of Michael Holding – the talent just isn’t there.”
Slater asserted that West Indies can turn things around, but they need a whole new attitude and work ethic.
“There has long been a misconception that playing the calypso style of cricket comes easy, that it’s all natural,” he said.
“The suggestion is that the laid-back approach is possible because an abundance of natural ability replaces the need for hard work and determination.”
Slater debunked the notion that the West Indies sides of 1970s and 1980s achieved their results strictly on natural ability.
“The truth is the superstar West Indies players of the 1970s and 1980s worked as hard as anyone on their games,” he said.
“Their natural abilities were obvious, but they were so good because of the work they put into their games and the drive and determination they had to be the best.
“I’m just not sure the same amount of effort is going in these days.”
Slater will be a part of the coverage team when the two sides meet for the second Test, starting on Friday (7:30 p.m. on Thursday – East Caribbean Time) at the Adelaide Oval.
