KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Newly appointed Jamaica coach Gus Logie says he is preparing his side for any eventuality as they intensify their preparations for next month’s Caribbean Twenty20 Championships.
Logie, who replaced Junior Bennett in the position last month, is set to oversee the side’s campaign in the January 10-23 tournament in Antigua and Barbados.
Jamaica, as usual, will start as one of the pre-tournament favourites and Logie said he was trying to ensure the side was ready to deal with any obstacle they met.
“In the recent practice games we have been looking at different options and we are looking at intensifying the preparation in the coming days,” said the 50-year-old Trinidadian, a former West Indies coach.
“We will simulate other situations because we have to start preparing for instances where you have a tie, and have to complete the Super Over. We are also going to try using a wet ball in case of rainy conditions.
“I don’t want them to be surprised when they face a spinner opening the bowling. Once we can prepare ourselves mentally and physically it should not be surprising.
“We still have a few more weeks before we are off to Antigua and by the time we get there I think we will be quite happy in our minds.”
Jamaica have flattered to deceive in previous tournaments, with their best finish in a regional T20 championship being a runners-up finish at the now defunct Stanford T20 two years ago.
Last year, they were heavy favourites to win the inaugural CT20 but bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual losing finalists Barbados.
Logie, who last coached Bermuda, said Jamaica was still coming to grips with what was required of them.
“There have been some encouraging signs and players are starting to understand their roles and responsibilities in the side,” said Logie.
“Some of the players are still getting used to the whole setup of the Twenty20 game. We don’t want to be too static and we have spoken about that so they are understanding the responsibility of batting in different positions, if needs be, and bowling in certain situations as well.”
Jamaica will contest Group A of the CT20 alongside defending champions Guyana, Combined Campuses and Colleges, Windward Islands and English County Somerset.
