WI trainer Rogers keeps job

RONALD ROGERS will continue to hold the position as trainer/physio of the West Indies cricket team for the forthcoming Cable and Wireless Series against Australia and Sri Lanka. The 42-year-old Rogers replaced the long-serving Dennis Waight as physio in March 2000.

“As far as I am concerned, I am the trainer (for the series),” said Rogers, who added that his post was not among those discussed at last weekend’s West Indies Cricket Board’s meeting of directors in Barbados. Following the meeting, star batsman Brian Lara was named as captain with Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy, fellow Trinidadian Gus Logie serving as coach in the absence of Australian Bennett King, while Ricky Skerritt retains his spot as manager. Rogers added that, according to his contract, “I’m the physio until, if in their (WICB) mind I’m not functioning or if I want to do something else (resign).”

Commenting on the new management team, the former Defence Force physio noted that “I’ve worked with everyone before - Brian at Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies level, Gus at West Indies Under-15 and Under-19 levels, and it’s just a matter of getting the job done.” “Just as I had a good relationship with the past captain (Carl Hooper) and coach (Roger Harper) to achieve their goals, I’ll plan to continue the same with Brian and Gus,” he continued. Rogers revealed that he will join Lara, Logie and Skerritt in Guyana  “to discuss what our plans will be for the series as well as building cohesion.” The first Test against Australia bowls off on Thursday at the Bourda Oval, Georgetown, Guyana.