As the West Indians embarked on their final warm up match yesterday, consistency was the watchword.
That is according to assistant coach, Rayon Griffith who said as much on the first day of their four-day “First-Class-like” encounter.
Griffith, in an exclusive interview with this publication stated, “We would like to see consistency in all three departments. This is the last match before the series so we know the guys are ready and they are up for the match.”
The Level Three coach also reflected on the performances from the first three-day warm-up game.
He expressed satisfaction with the batsmen, pointing out, “The warm-up was fairly decent with some of the players already familiar with English conditions like Shai Hope and Kraigg [Brathwaite], Sharamah Brooks who played `A’ team cricket, John Campbell who also played a bit… We had six half centuries so it was pleasing to see the batters get themselves in, spend some time at the crease and go as long as possible.”
The former Guyana fast bowler also shared a similar s entiment of the bowlers, relating that “Kemar [Roach] and Shannon [Gabriel] bowled well, even the younger fast bowlers like Raymon Reifer, who had a really good game, got the ball to swing and got the ball on good areas consistently.”
Moving onto the final match practice, the Guyana-born coach highlighted, “I think in the conditions here, the guys look very good from the beginning. Their confidence is getting there and they look ready. It’s now just fine-tuning a few areas.”
According to the 41-year-old, things have gone according to plans and despite the self-isolation of head coach Phil Simmons, the entire unit is still functioning well. “Phil is in isolation but that isn’t affecting us. He is still doing his job. There are different devices that we use to make contact and to make sure things are running smoothly. I think he has been doing a wonderful job at the moment. He has managed everything very well…Additionally, we have coaches who are competent here, who are doing a tremendous job so nothing has taken away from the preparation,” Griffith noted.
Additionally, the Guyana Amazon Warriors assistant coach opined that he has no concerns so far as his team prepares for the first Test on July 8.
“I don’t really have any concerns going into the series, “he said. “We had the time to prepare and it has been going good so far,” he added. “We have the quality in the preparation compared to before like when you came on tour in the past where the practice bowlers bowling at you but now you have the quality bowlers who are giving the batsmen challenges and the batters giving the bowlers a challenge as well,” he told Stabroek Sport.
Test Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer and Kemar Roach.
Reserve Players: Sunil Ambris, Joshua DaSilva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican
