The former England captain, Michael Atherton, has discussed the recent decline of the West Indies side in the longest format. Recently, the Caribbean side lost the three-match series to Australia by a margin of 0-3, and more specifically, got rolled over for just 27 runs in the fourth innings of the third Sabina Park Test in Jamaica, which is the second-lowest total in an inning.

Atherton reveals that the story of the Roston Chase-led side isn’t new, and he also expressed how the story hasn’t been the same in the white-ball form of the game. The former captain also shed light on how the game has lost spectators in the Caribbean, while most of the England fans are travelling for the Test series.

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‘It’s a sad tale, isn’t it? The West Indies, we seem to have written it, time and time again, about the decline of not so much of the white-ball or T20 cricket- the short form of cricket, but for the Test cricket, which seems to me is almost dead as a spectator sport there. When England go, you know, it’s only the England fans who travel for Tests.’ Atherton revealed during a recent podcast on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Michael Atherton analyzes West Indies’ recent Test decline  

‘Now that England are not playing a Test in the Caribbean, they don’t play there in the next program. It’s a story that has been written time and time again and doesn’t seem to have easy answers. I notice they have called together a meeting of their greats.’ The former England opening batter added.  

Michael Atherton discusses the decline of the game in the West Indies 🏏 pic.twitter.com/gFY90hfdVw

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 18, 2025

Just the day after they managed 27 runs on the board, the WICB invited the former captains and batters for an emergency meeting, but Atherton wasn’t sure of how it would develop. ‘I am not sure what that’s going to achieve either. It’s been such a long time since the Red Ball decline. It’s the batting. Bowling looks strong with attacking bowlers, but Mitchell Starc with the pink ball was very tricky.’ The veteran addressed.

West Indies won’t have an easy time after this home series. They will soon make a Test trip to India in the autumn and later to New Zealand by the end of the series. The pressure is also immense on the coaching management to bring positive results.