By Romario Samaroo
Ahead of the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), assistant coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs, Ramnaresh Sarwan reckons his side is a championship team.
Sarwan, a former captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, took on the role as assistant coach of the Tallawahs last season and will be returning for the six-week tournament which is set for September 4 to October 12.
The 39-year-old gave credence to his statement with the return of the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle who led the side to two titles in 2013 and 2016 as well as leading St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to the final in 2017. “We all know what Gayle brings to the team and we are happy to have him back home,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan said that the team is a mixture of youth and experience which form the basis of a championship winning team.
He name dropped the likes of Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Glen Phillips, Oshane Thomas, Shamar Springer, Xavier Marshall, Steven Jacobs, Imran Khan and Chadwick Walton as match winners.
The veteran of 280 international matches said that the players met in Barbados last week where everyone got a chance to socialize and streamline themselves ahead of the tournament.
The former West Indies skipper added that he was happy with the composition of the team as well as his role, explaining that he has gathered a lot of experience since his first run last season.
While acknowledging a vast difference between playing and coaching, Sarwan opined that his journey in the cricket circle has allowed him an advantage now since it gives him the ability to understand the perspectives of everyone involved.
He explained that while he understands that everyone is different he is happy to give his input and help the team lift the title this year, a goal that is foremost in his mindset, suggesting that his experience of the game will add an edge to the side.
While reckoning that he has not yet contemplated where he plans to go as a coach, he was adamant of his ambitions to give back to West Indies cricket and help nurture the future of the Caribbean side.
Jamaica Tallawahs squad: Chris Gayle, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Xavier Marshall, Imran Khan, Steven Jaccobs, Chadwick Walton, Glen Phillips, Derval Green, Jevelle Glen, Ramaal Lewis, Shamar Springer, Christopher Lamont, Amad Butt, George Worker, Zaheer Khan, Oshane Thomas, Ramnaresh Sarwan (assistant coach), Mark O’Donnell (head coach).
