It was described as a ``human resources'' course - how to get the best out of individuals on and off the field. Academics from the University of the West Indies lectured on such diverse subjects as personal development, media relations and how to handle stress.

Unfortunately six of the 15-man party could not be there. Brian Lara had a prior golf engagement and such senior figures as Curtly Ambrose, Carl Hooper and Phil Simmons were also absent, along with the captain, Courtney Walsh.

It was, perhaps, an indication that in the present West Indies set-up, while everybody gives lip service to rowing in one direction, some oarsmen are not always pulling the same way.

One of the younger players on this tour - understandably wanting anonymity for his views - observed during the side's unimpressive hat-trick of defeats by Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa in the day-night international series: ``Those of us who went to Trinidad got a lot out of it. But having key players missing took away a lot of the value. Now they're coming along and asking, 'What did they say about this and that?' ``

Clive Lloyd, West Indies tour manager, believes the seminar was still of value. Asked about the absentees he said: ``They had other commitments. Some were in London at the time.'' It will be Lloyd's job, along with coach Malcolm Marshall, to see that the players do pull together for the coming three-Test series. The first game starts in Peshawar on Monday.

Comparisons, however, with the successful South Africans, who have just beaten Pakistan 1-0 in the Tests and won the one-day series, suggest that West Indies have hardly come over-prepared for what is always a difficult tour.

South Africa brought six back-room men: two managers, a coach, a physiotherapist, a trainer and a doctor. Apart from Lloyd and Marshall, West Indies have only their long-serving trainer, Denis Waight.

Lloyd acknowledges that a team physician is almost a prerequisite here. ``If one becomes necessary we shall have to call in a local,'' he says. ``I hope the day isn't far away when the ICC provide a doctor whenever teams are touring.''

Behind that remark lies the fact that in the Caribbean money for cricket is hard to come by at the moment. It may partly be due to the decline in West Indies fortunes, though Lloyd points out that Australia's win two years ago remains their only Test series defeat in 17 years.

A lessening of interest among the nation states is also indicated by the fact that this series will not be shown on television back home. There are no Caribbean writers present to cover the Tests, and there are doubts about whether there will be any radio commentary, which has always been a feature of past West Indies overseas tours.

Then the players' contracts, which ran out at the end of August, are still waiting to be renewed. That, apparently, was the reason why no action was taken by the board against those failing to turn up in Trinidad (though they might still have balked at disciplining the likes of Lara and Ambrose).

All in all, the omens are not propitious for Walsh, 35, who is nearing the end of his career. It is West Indies' first tour here for seven years, and while they have not lost a series in their last four visits, they will not be favourites to win this one.

Lloyd would like to have brought more players, including some one-day specialists who could then have gone home, but his board said no. Again it was the cash element. Lloyd sees the way other countries are going with regard to dividing one-day and Test parties and says West Indies must follow suit.

In an age when preparation is as much a key to success as ability, West Indies appear to have much catching up to do to match the thoroughness of their peers. Still immensely rich in individual talent, in other respects they seem almost the poor relations of international cricket.