PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former West Indies batsman, Bryan Davis, has slammed the preparation of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, after the national franchise lost their third game in four outings in the Regional Four-Day Championship on Monday.
The 76-year-old, who played four Tests in 1965 against Australia, said the trial games which had been used in the lead up to last month’s start of the tournament had been inadequate in getting the side ready for the longer format.
“I don’t think the team for the last three years has been a well prepared team,” Davis told the NewsDay here.
“I don’t like the whole preparation aspect, the trial matches how it is played, it is too lackadaisical, it does not seem to be following any definite order.
“When you reach this level of cricket, this level of cricket is one step away from Test cricket. I think it is preparation. We are not properly prepared for four-day matches.”
Red Force started the tournament strongly when they defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by nine wickets at Queen’s Park Oval here.
Their form declined drastically since then, however. They slumped to a 292-run loss to Barbados Pride at the Oval here, drew with Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the third round before suffering back-to-back defeats to Jamaica Scorpions and reigning champions Guyana Jaguars.
In their most recent defeat at the National Stadium in Georgetown on Monday, Davis said he had witnessed a side lacking in motivation.
“They have talented players there but I looked at some of the cricket [during the last game] through the computer and men walking around with their shoulders down and they don’t look like if they happy,” said the Trinidadian, who played 112 first class games including two seasons for Welsh county Glamorgan.
“They are playing the game but they look like a losing bunch of players. So somehow they are not motivated, and a team is only motivated when they feel they’re good.” Davis believes Red Force’s fortunes may benefit from a change in the captaincy. Currently, Yannick Ottley has charge of the squad but Davis argued the responsibility was too much for the 25-year-old.
“I think it is very unfair to put Yannick Ottley as captain of the team because I don’t think he has that experience and I don’t think he has that knowledge,” Davis said.
“He might develop it and I hope he does, but certainly he is far too green a cricketer to put into that situation. I think it is tough on him, I am not blaming him, but all this comes back to selectors.
Red Force lie bottom of the six-team standings.
