The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Saturday, hosted a live interactive session at the Albion Community Development Centre Cricket Ground with four legendary test players.
The programme was moderated by popular Television reporter Akeem Greene and the panelists were Sir Andy Roberts, Dr. Desmond Haynes, Jimmy Adams and Roland Butcher. Each of the legends spoke on their careers in opening remarks and informed the attentive gathering of the struggles, disappointment and hard work they endured to achieve success.
Haynes traced the long journey he faced on his way to a career which produced over 40,000 runs in first class and List ‘A’ cricket. Sir Andy Roberts used his opening remarks to state that his dreams were achieved through sheer hard work and a desire to be the best ever fast bowler.
The session, which included a question-and-answer segment, was attended by over 150 players, parents and club officials and was described as very successful and informative by all in attendance.
Questions ranged from tips for success, the formula for personal career success, how to play fast bowling, how to bowl on flat pitches, concentrating for long periods, how to be a successful captain, how to prepare for an innings, how to handle the new ball and the best ways to maintain physical fitness.
Youth players also sought answers on what criteria the selectors were looking for in a player and questioned Adams, who is currently the Cricket Director of West Indies, on plans for upcoming youth tournaments and developmental plans. Adams, who also captained the West Indies in 16 test Matches, disclosed that Cricket West Indies (CWI) will host Regional Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 tournaments for the first time in two years this summer.
CWI will also host an Under 19 female tournament while the regional board will target promising Under 23 players in a high-performance programme later in the year.
The youth players also sought answers on the CWI policy of personal fitness and asked Chairman of Selectors Dr. Desmond Haynes if performance was below physical fitness.
The formal session involved several light moments as the panel answered several personal questions. Dr. Haynes stated that Sir Richard Hadlee was the greatest bowler he ever faced while Sir Andy Roberts described Sir Vivian Richards as the greatest batsman that he ever saw in action. Roland Butcher stated that he felt honored to become the first black cricketer to play for England.
The panel of test players after the conclusion of the interactive sessions with the players and parents, hosted a one-hour meeting with Berbice Coaches, Managers and Club officials. They used the opportunity to encourage Berbice cricket officials to work harder. Dr. Haynes spoke on the selection policy of the CWI while Adams spoke widely on CWI developmental plans
BCB President Hilbert Foster started the session by stating that the board was investing heavily into off the field programmes with the main objectives of producing high standard players on and off the cricket field.
