PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad), April 13: West Indies players chief Dinanath Ramnarine claims a lack of preparation was the root cause of the team's World Cup flop. But he also added that the players themselves must hold their hands up for the poor showing.

“Ultimately, the players must accept some responsibility for their performance in this tournament,” said Ramnarine, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president.

“But there were issues raised by the players through WIPA about the state of preparation for the World Cup and other issues that contributed to their poor performance.”

Ramnarine told the Trinidad Express that he believed the failure of the team to engage in a well-planned programme of preparation in the months leading up to the World Cup was one of the major reasons why the team failed to play competitive cricket in the Super Eights where they slumped to four straight huge defeats.

He also said there were other reasons for the dismal display.

Ramnarine identified the last minute completion of stadia, the failure to replace physical trainer Bryce Cavanagh and to appoint a bowling coach.

Australian Cavanagh resigned during the Pakistan tour in December and was never replaced, while an arbitration panel, headed by Barbados Chief Justice Sir David Simmons — after being called in to decide how the $11 million from the ICC should be split — only resolved the matter two weeks into the tournament.

“Despite deviation from certain agreed provisions, we advised the players to sign the contracts and we would allow the disputed sections to be referred to further arbitration so as to avoid distracting the team,” said Ramnarine.—AFP