By Colin Croft Former West Indies fast bowler

There has been so much negativity over the last few months, much of it from ill-informed people who should know better.

Chanderpaul's determination should be a template for the team

There will be no Brian Lara, no Ramnaresh Sarwan and no Chris Gayle when the West Indies will line up against South Africa on Thursday.

But at least there will be a cricket match, to show that the game goes on despite the idiots on the sidelines.

South Africa's captain Graeme Smith had to deal with a similar situation when he faced Zimbabwe recently.

"I really could not be bothered about our opposition's problems," he said then.

"Our team has got its own problems too, the most important being that we must play the best cricket we possibly can and beat whatever opposition is offered."

Most people in the Caribbean do not support the West Indies cricket team - they support the players

South Africa cannot be held responsible for what is happening to West Indies cricket. Greed, tremendously bad advice and poor management are to blame.

But this season's series against South Africa and then Pakistan are so important to the West Indies Cricket Board and their new sponsor Digicel that they are determined it goes ahead.

Most people in the Caribbean do not support the West Indies cricket team - they support the players, which is utter foolishness.

West Indies' first ever Test against South Africa, after their return from isolation in 1992, is still considered by most as the second best match ever played in the Caribbean.

But it took place in the shadow of a boycott in Barbados, with fans complaining about the non-selection of medium-pacer Andy Cummins!

On paper, South Africa easily out-point the West Indies

Of course the 2005 team will miss the services of Lara, the in-form Gayle and Sarwan, whose potential is limitless, but the batting still stacks up well against South Africa.

In probable order, the home side will field Devon Smith, Wavell Hinds, Darren Ganga and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Chanderpaul, West Indies captain in Lara's absence, would also do well to Graeme Smith's level of focus.

From my home village of Unity/Lancaster in Guyana, he has a great opportunity to stamp his determined and practiced method into the minds of his still-confused team.

Two uncapped players in Narsingh Deonarine and Donovan Pagon appear to be contesting a single middle-order spot alongside Ryan Hinds.

Deonarine is likely to make his Test debut on his home ground

Deonarine, whose off-spin complements his batting, will probably be given a debut on his home ground, even though Pagon is maybe a more reliable batsman at present.

However, it has been the West Indies bowling which has let the team down so very badly in the recent past.

They simply will have to bowl extremely well for the entire four-Test series.

Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Reon King and, probably, Darren Powell will make up the pace quartet.

Overall, on paper, South Africa easily out-point the West Indies and should come out on top after the first Test.

To cause an upset, the hosts first have to dent the South Africa batting line up then cope with the visitors' bowling, a challenge even without the injured Shaun Pollock.

But at least the focus for five days will be on the field, rather than in the offices of the warring factions.