ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Stuart Williams will take over the job of head coach of the Leeward Islands for the Caribbean Twenty20 Championship.
The former Leeward Islands captain and West Indies opener takes over from Leon Rodney for the tournament to be staged from January 9 to 22 in Antigua and Barbados.
Rodney coached the sub-regional side over the last two years, helping them to a share of the Regional Super50 title with Barbados last year in Jamaica.
He however, has reportedly experienced difficulty getting time off from his job to continue to condition the side.
Williams told the Antigua Observer newspaper in an interview that the team’s main focus is to win the tournament for the first time.
He said there could be no excuses from the players this time about preparation, since there will be a full two weeks of training leading into the tournament.
Williams said he and other members of the coaching staff, including recent captain Wilden Cornwall will ensure that the team is physically and mentally prepared to perform much stronger than in recent times.
West Indies leg-spinner Anthony Martin will captain the Leewards who open against former CT20 champions Guyana on opening day, January 9, at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground just outside of the Antigua capital.
Leewards also face Windward Islands, Canada and reigning champions Trinidad & Tobago in Group-A of the tournament.
