Logie describes 2016-2017 season as frustrating

The Red Force were upgraded from fifth to third in the Regional Four Day Championship standings, with an overall total of 102.8 points, behind the Guyana Jaguars (134.8) and Barbados Pride (124). Rounding off the standings were the Jamaica Scorpions (102.6), Windward Islands Volcanoes (97.6) and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes (89.2).

However the Red Force won four and lost five of their matches, used three captains in the Four Day Championship (Yannick Ottley, Kyle Hope and Marlon Richards) and had as much as 24 players involved in the 10 First Class fixtures.

“When we started off, with all expectations, we were looking at winning the Championship,” said Logie, during an interview on Tuesday. “We went into the Championship believing it (was) possible, given the indication of so many established players making themselves available. Since then, it never materialised.

“We’ve been playing under- cooked in terms of personnel,” continued the former West Indies vice-captain and coach.

“We had a pretty ordinary First Round. We always believed that if we put it together we could challenge.

We created our expectations after the Super50 (in which the Red Force were beaten by the Scorpions in the semi-final stage) and, after the First Round, for a top three finish.” Logie stated, “we did it, at the end of the day, thanks to many of the young players that stepped up to the plate. It has been a frustrating season. We had about three or four different captains and, at the end of the day, the young players would always (take a while) to adjust to different leadership styles.

“I think the core remained of what we wanted, the commitment level from players and the responsibility that you expect from them. They all continued to work hard so it was just reward at the end of the day for a young player coming into the set-up, showing what they can do if they really commit, if they really take the responsibility. We showed a lot of fight and heart to finish third.” Asked to elaborate on the frustrations he faced, Logie replied, “you can never settle if you have people coming in and out. If you have experienced players, (they) must be able to step up to the plate. It’s about taking the opportunity and guiding the younger players.

“That is something we haven’t been seeing and it’s something that is lacking in our cricket. It’s not wanting to cast aspersions on any player but that’s what good teams (do), knowing that when the going gets tough, that the star players come to the party.” There was conjecture about Logie’s position as the Red Force coach, in light of the squad’s struggles in the longer format.

“Like everything else, time would take its course,” he said. “My contract runs until July. I intend to see that through and that’s all I would say on that.” Commenting on the amount of TT players who partake in T20 leagues worldwide, instead of committing fully to the Regional Four-Day level, Logie admitted, “I would like to think that all players would want to play all aspects of the game. They may have a preference to the limited-overs or the T20 (events) because of the financial rewards, but I think all cricketers would want to play all formats. I think it’s a matter of getting a balance and possibly managing their time and possibly managing which tournaments to take part in.” However, he admitted, “we are preparing these players pre-season and when the season starts, they’re unavailable because they’re in T20 Leagues all over the world. It’s unfair to us and it’s unfair to me as a coach because you have to bring new players into the set-up and you have to start all over again. And then the results, at the end of the day, are all that matters.”