Wicketkeeper/batsman, Tevin Imlach believes the Guyana Jaguars will need to master the art of winning critical moments of the game if they are to lift the Regional Super50 title this year.
The 24-year-old is one of several newcomers to the South American side for the upcoming tournament which begins Sunday.
“We discussed as a team. It is crucial situations we don’t manage to come out on top and that usually costs us the game so it is about winning those. I feel once we come out on top, winning those situations, we will be able to win more games and probably go on to win the tournament.
“I know we definitely have the team to do it. It’s just winning those situations and key moments of the game that will make the difference between winning and losing the game,” he said.
Imlach noted that despite having a good team every year, the Jaguars have not won the tournament since 2005.
“Every year we manage to put out a pretty good team on paper. Year after year, we put out a good team on paper also on the field,” he declared.
Nevertheless, Imlach is confident of the chances the side has this season and is hopeful he can contribute meaningfully towards his team lifting the trophy.
The former West Indies Under-19 star, who has featured in the Super50 before when he turned out for West Indies B team, said that he was not big on setting goals but rather keen on winning.
“For me I am not big on setting goals on how many hundreds of fifties I want to get because that would vary on how many matches you play and opportunities and then cricket is about situations, different situations. So for me, it’s about conquering those situations as much as possible for my team and at the end of the tournament I will be able to reflect what I’ve done well, how I can improve going forward in my career as well but the only goal I want to achieve is us winning the title and bringing it home this year,” he reasoned.
The Demerara Cricket Club wicketkeeper pointed out, “I’m not sure what position I will be asked to bat because I have batted at the top and in the middle but whatever position I bat I am pretty sure I will be able to make some runs for the team and have some meaningful scores that could help the team get in a good position and win. if I am asked to keep [wicket] I will try to put my best foot forward and create some chances and take the chances that come my way.”
Already in Antigua for the tournament, Imlach revealed that the players are in good spirits ahead of the competition with the team sharpening its skills.
“The mode has been really good. We’ve done a lot of work on improving the skills we do have and also developing new skills that we recognise are needed to succeed in a tournament like this. So the coaches have been doing a lot of work with us and I feel we are ready and up for the challenge,” he said.
