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The West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) eligibility rules have taken another bashing.

This time it comes from former England batsman Robin Smith, who said he finds it amazing that the regional authorities would continue with rules which state that players have to make themselves available for the entire season to gain international selection.

'I think that is a ridiculous rule,' said Smith, the Hampshire captain who played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996. 'The West Indies needs all the players they can get right now. It (the rules) just makes no sense.'

Smith, who was in Barbados on vacation and took in some of the Busta Cup at Kensington Oval, said that maybe the WICB should adjust the rules so players would have to be available for only half the season.

'The West Indies need all their best players. I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn, but that's the way I see the situation. From speaking to a few players around here, I think there needs to be more communication from the board to players and the spectators, but I think they (WICB) are shooting themselves in the foot,' said the 37-year-old South Africa-born Smith, who made 4 236 Test runs (average 43.67), including nine centuries.

Smith also highlighted another area of weakness in West Indies cricket which should be addressed if the regional side is to return to the top of the world stage.

He said there was an urgent need for the former players of the glory era to be closely involved in the day-to-day running of the game in the region.

'These people have enormous amounts of coaching ability and knowledge of the game and they must be supported and given the opportunity to work with the players.'

'I don't think West Indies have gone back too far. I think the other playing nations have developed at a faster rate. The other nations have facilities such as academies, finishing schools to lead to quicker advancement.'

He added that the administrators were a bit naive to believe that the winning way would go on forever and the rest of the world would not catch up.

'Going back 15 years, West Indies were complacent thinking it would just continue. Everybody loves West Indies to do well, every other playing nation loves West Indies. They have a wonderful flair and flamboyance, they are very attractive and exciting and it is very important the West Indies do well, for world cricket.'

© The Barbados Nation