Haynes to coach TT’s Ganga

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:  West Indies opening batsman Daren Ganga will leave Trinidad and Tobago at the weekend for Barbados where he will spend three weeks playing club cricket and receiving coaching from former long-serving West Indies opener Desmond Haynes. Haynes said he is happy to work with the 25-year-old Ganga, who has played 30 Tests and 28 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies without fulfilling his potential. “He approached me when I was in Trinidad and Tobago to speak at a function and told me he needed help with his batting and I told him yes that he can come to Barbados and I will work with him,” Haynes said. Haynes said he will only have a brief stint with the solid right-handed batsman as he (Ganga) is going up to England in the summer.

Ganga was dropped from the West Indies team after a disappointing tour of South Africa but recalled for the final two Tests against England when Devon Smith got injured. He was then overlooked for the just-ended two-Test series against Bangladesh which the West Indies won 1-0. His first match in Barbados will be on Sunday when the Carlton team, which has Barbados players Kurt Wilkinson, Dale Richards and Shirley Clarke in their line-up oppose former Division One champions, Banks. Speaking about Ganga’s technique, Haynes said it appears to him that the Trinidad and Tobago cricket captain has a problem adjusting from defence to  attack. “I have noticed he is very good in defence but he can’t seem to go into second gear,” said Haynes, who hit 18 centuries and scored 7,487 runs in 116 Tests at an average of 42.29.

“He is always batting four and five balls an over so he needs to learn to use the bat face, work the ball around and get away from the strike,” Haynes added. Haynes also revealed that he was interested in getting involved in West Indies cricket, either in a coaching capacity or as a selector. “West Indies cricket is dear to me. I don’t think there is anything stopping me from getting involved. I won’t mind being a selector or doing some coaching sessions with the opening batsmen. “An opening batsman must have certain characteristics. I don’t think it is all about technique. An opening must be cocky and be confident,” Haynes said. “I feel I can play a role with the openers and get the mental side right,” Haynes said.