WI to target weak points of rivals

BRIDGETOWN: It’s going to be a long summer and it’s looking hot. West Indies cricket coach Gus Logie knows this, and that he has his work cut out as the team flew out of Barbados on Sunday for first the triangular One-Day Series, and then four Tests. Speaking to reporters at Grantley Adams International Airport, he suggested that two separate teams – one for Tests and one for one-dayers – would help with the workload. “Two teams? I don’t think it’s asking too much. Most of the countries have two sides, even though they would have a nucleus of players who would be suited to both forms of the game,” he said in response to one question.

“What we find in the Caribbean is a difficulty in finding a balance at this time. “We have some talented players we are taking to England for the one-day series and if they perform there will be no reason why the selectors would not give them a chance to showcase their talents at the Test level. “It is true we do not have the kind of resources to allow our players to train in and out of season and this is one of the drawbacks. If that can be addressed – that is the kind of balance we are looking for. “I would like to suggest that those players who are selected for the Tests come (to England) ahead of time and get acclimatised so they’ll be ready when the longer version starts.” Captain Brian Lara was not at the team hotel for the media briefing before departure, but joined the players shortly before check-in at the airport.

He was accompanied by Dwight Yorke, the former Manchester United and Trinidad and Tobago footballer, who is his business partner. Logie, a former West Indies vice-captain, toured England three times, in 1984, 1988 and 1991, and is familiar with the conditions. He said it would be vitally important that the players get in tune as early as possible. “Most of the players will be trying to find their feet at the international level in conditions which are foreign to them – cold conditions, possibly a hostile reception. It is going to be a challenge,” Logie said. “But the belief system has to be high and they will have to work doubly hard to make sure they are motivated. “I have no doubt we will see some excellent performances, with success as a team as well as success as individuals.”

The West Indies will face England and New Zealand in the tri-nation One-Day series before the four Tests. Logie said priority No 1 would be to zero in on the opponents’ weaknesses. “The WICB has information that will be passed on to us as soon as we get to England so we will be able to review it as a team and make the best preparations,” Logie said. “We do have footage of England, and we are yet to have footage of New Zealand, but as soon as we land we should get that.” The West Indies open the tour with back-to-back One-Dayers against Ireland in Belfast on Wednesday and Thursday. The Irish will be playing in next year’s International Cricket Council’s Associates Tournament as they try to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.