Bridgetown, Barbados – Barbados manager Hartley Reid is predicting that Barbados will once again retain the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Nagico Super 50 tournament which is set to bowl off in Trinidad and Tobago in the next few days.
Speaking during the practice match between Barbados and the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at the 3Ws Oval, Reid said that once the team apply the basics, and apply them well they will once again retain the title.
“The team is a good team, we have good fast bowlers, the spin is good and we have good fielders and batsmen,” said Reid.
As he spoke to the mixture of experience and youth in the team, Reid explained that he is quietly confident that despite losing a number of players to the West Indies team currently on tour in South Africa, the team has not been weakened.
“We are fortunate that our reserves can boast to be on equal as the rest of the Caribbean and they are more than competent (to perform the task).”
He was happy that the West Indies selectors have decided to reward the Barbados players with a call up to the next level.
“Over the years we have been winning but not given the quota others team got when they won,” however last year they shone and were not neglected.
Though wary of calling the preparation adequate, Reid mentioned that there were a number of centuries in the trial matches and the Barbados team should be able to equip themselves when the umpires call play in a game.
As for what he has brought to the team as manager, Reid turned and leaned back in his chair before saying that he does not attribute much to himself but he tries to keep the players focus on the game and their approach to the game as professionals.
“If there is a legacy, I would like that I would have trained their minds in being professionals. The players are no less talented or gifted than the other players in the region, but it has to do with their approach.
“No longer is it about self, but there is a responsibility to the country and supporters.”
Barbados is set to play the CCC in their first match which is slated for January 15 at the National Cricket Centre at 9 a.m. and with a new look CCC team both teams got a look at each other yesterday during the practice game.
The following are the groups:
GROUP “A” – Barbados Pride, Combined Campuses & Colleges, Guyana Jaguars, Windward Islands Volcanoes
GROUP “B” – Jamaica Franchise, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, West Indies Under-19s (Reprinted from the Barbados Advocate)
