Dear Editor,
Now that the curtains have come down on CPL 2014, arguably the biggest entertainment in the Caribbean sports calendar (and ‘the fat lady has sung’) it would be appropriate to attempt a critique of the team’s performance under Coach Harper and Captain Ramdin.
The time-honoured adage, ‘Always a bridesmaid and never the bride’ aptly describes the Amazon Warriors’ performance over the inaugural years of the CPL where the Warriors have emerged runners-up on both occasions.
‘Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty’ but it would appear that, in some instances, uncertainty characterized the posture of the Warriors’ administration which subsequently morphed into indecision, faulty choices and flawed options.
One did not get the impression that strategies were formulated at planning sessions and adopted on the field of play. We did not witness tactics being devised and employed against particular batsmen nor were there any planned changes of approach and execution whenever the occasion dictated such a course of action.
It is an exercise in futility (and moreover being wise after the event) to declare that with the benefit of hindsight: the batting order could have been re-arranged; Neesham should have batted more aggressively; scoring should have been more prolific; Chris Barnwell should have been promoted in the batting order; Chris Barnwell could have been used to bowl, but the question of his economy rate precluded this. It is pertinent to note that Barnwell’s economy rate is approximately 7.5 – excellent for T20 Cricket – and compares favourably with other bowlers in the competition, but it would appear that this was not factored into the equation.
As evidence of Barnwell’s bowling bona fides we are minded to recall his ability to defend 10 runs in the last over he bowled against the Jamaica Tallawahs in order for the Warriors to qualify for last year’s competition.
Indeed there can be no justification to bowl Navin Stewart instead of Barnwell and it begs the question of the need to play him in the first place. Likewise Lendl Simmons, a batsman who sometimes bowls, was given a bowling spell of at least 3 overs in one of the games ahead of Permaul, who did not even bowl an over in 2 matches.
Similarly, when it was discovered from the early round of matches that Neesham should have batted more aggressively, that was the moment to juxtapose Barnwell – a batting all rounder – who has continuously shown his explosive nature with limited overs remaining almost every time he goes to the crease . The man in the street and every Amazon Warrior fan believes so.
Perhaps the Warriors should have invested in designated “pinch hitters” in a Trevor Griffith or Robin Bacchus and emulate the Tallawah Russell or the Tridents Holder. It took an inordinately long time to realize that Neesham was not fulfilling the role he was selected for.
In essence, the Guyanese contingent on the Warriors team was not afforded the opportunity to showcase their talents so as to catch the nod of the West Indies selectors. It cannot be denied that this marquee tournament assumes a seed-bed function for preferment to the West Indies side.
Alas, this was made very pellucid in the recent selections of players to oppose Bangladesh – no Guyanese players being included but players from other regional countries who played for Guyana were rewarded. I believe in a win-win situation by giving the lads an opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents. Today, I would have sat a happier man, more satisfied, knowing that we did not win the tournament, but our Guyanese cricketers were given a chance to express themselves, market our brand and possibly win places on the West Indies representative teams.
Great strategists are relentless thinkers, who are pro-active rather than reactive and can analyze the dynamics of a situation and adopt appropriate measures as a counterpoint. They are constantly weighing, evaluating, and executing pre-determined plans when confronted with changing circumstances and situations.
Coach Harper was too laid back – almost sedentary – and did not exhibit the qualities of a dynamic leader who could have motivated the players under his charge to attempt that quantum leap and reach out to grasp CPL’s coveted crown.
Amidst all the confusion created by the Duckworth/Lewis fiasco and the knowledge that the match is about three hours with one hour for rain interruptions, Coach Harper should have been at the centre of the conversation making representations and positing forceful objections to the feeble rationale for awarding the match to the Barbados Tridents. Suffice it to say, this did not seem to be the case.
This critique could not be complete if the foresight and enterprising genius of Mr Bobby Ramroop, the owner of the Warriors was not given due recognition and kudos.
Yours faithfully,
Alfred Mentore
President
Demerara Cricket Club