T20 World Cup 2022: From Callypso to Collapso; Analysing the great fall of West Indies cricket

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Bengaluru, October 24: The West Indies' fall from might -- latest being the failure to qualify for Super 12s of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 has left many Caribbeans disappointed including theit former captain Kieron Pollard.

The Bajan all-rounder is surprised and disappointed with the team's early exit from the ICC marquee event and said all the stakeholders must share the blame.

Two-time champions West Indies failed to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the T20 showpiece in Australia after suffering defeats to Scotland and Ireland in the first round.

"A bit surprised, to be honest that (West Indies) weren't able to get over the line against the other teams," Pollard told i95.5fm, a Trinidad-based radio station.

"But again, that speaks volumes of where our cricket as is at the moment. I feel it. I feel it for the guys because they are the ones that are going to get the bashing. And it's not all their fault."

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The elimination attracted reactions from across the cricketing world.

Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt issued a scathing statement, saying a post-mortem would be carried out immediately.

Australian legend Ricky Ponting has called the once-formidable West Indies' early exit from the tournament a disgrace.

Pollard added, "We've a young captain (Nicholas Pooran) we've young players, guys who would've played only a handful of (matches in) T20 cricket and now they're in the World Cup.

"And when I look back at it, I sit back and I've a smile on my face. Because I remember some of the things that was said last year around this time, when some individuals weren't selected.

"I just had to remind these people that there was a World Cup we were going to (in 2021) and another bilateral series (in New Zealand). And now some of the individuals get the opportunity to play in the World Cup. And, again, look what has happened. It's no fault of theirs," he said.

"But when we tried to sort of protect them and let people understand (in 2021), they weren't ready for that, we were lambasted. There were a lot of things that were said that were very derogatory at times. It's a sad day for West Indies cricket and all of us."

The loss to Ireland was the second for Windies in the tournament after they were shocked by Scotland in the first match.

Though the Caribbeans rallied quickly to beat Zimbabwe in their second match, the loss to Ireland brought their campaign to an early end at the ICC marquee event currently being held Down Under.