Coach unhappy with U-15 ‘prep’

Successful coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 cricket team Bachan Boochoon said yesterday that he was particularly unhappy with the fact that he has been handed the team with only four days to go to the tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I am afraid that this does not afford me sufficient time to prepare the team adequately,” a concerned Boochoon said. Trinidad and Tobago have won the regional U-15 title for the past three years under the guidance of Boochoon but this time around he says it is going to be a different kettle of fish. “We are playing on foreign soil and it will not be easy to win as we have done during the past three years in Trinidad. We needed more time to prepare the team,” he said. “Preparation involves mental, technical and tactical emphasis that stretch over a prolonged period. I cannot see us accomplishing these things in four days.”

The team gathered at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Village, Couva yesterday to begin a mental preparation seminar with consultant Liala Valere. Second vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC), Ellis Lewis addressed the youths and told them that talent alone does not bring success in cricket. “Winning is not having talent only but a source of purpose, dedication and understanding of the game.” The Under-15 players leave on Thursday for St. Vincent.