TT cricket coaching WI saviour

AN executive member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), believes Trinidad and Tobago will be the saving grace of West Indies cricket. This belief was expressed yesterday by Patrick Rampersad, hard working Merryboys cricket team president. He told Newsday, at present we have the best coaching programmes in the West Indies and this is already paying off with success at the youth level. “The TTCB is leading in terms of player preparation in the Caribbean at present. We have guys that are now on the doorsteps of the West Indies team and I am sure this country will play a huge part in the resurrecting of West Indies cricket.

“Just look at the young players that we are turning out and you would see my point. We had six integral players on the West Indies Under-19 team which finished second in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup. The skipper was also from Trinidad and Tobago and this should tell a story. “Under our national coaching director Baldath Mahabir, we have moved to a different level and cricketers undergoing all our programmes are well equipped to handle the rigours of international cricket. “The West Indies team at present is in a poor state and it is high time that all stake holders in the game at the regional level, do what they can to help the situation.

“We must not just produce cricketers but produce high quality cricketers to go out there and represent us proudly. I would like to make the point where it concerns Dwayne Bravo. “This young man burst unto the scene a few years ago and was a benefactor of the Board’s coaching programmes. Just look how well he has fit into the Test picture.” Rampersad ended by saying local cricket officials must take a bow for they are really doing excellent work.