Logie confident in Red Force’s Super50 chances

Logie, during a telephone interview on Wednesday, said, “We’re confident because we feel that, that level of cricket, is something we feel more confident at. We have the type of players that is more into that type of game.” However, Logie related, “unfortunately some of our more established players may not be available so it’s an opportunity for some of the younger players to step up to the plate. So we look forward to it, with much expectations and (hopefully) some good performances.” Dwayne Bravo is currently playing with Melbourne Renegades in the Australia Big Bash while fellow all-rounder Kieron Pollard is recovering from a knee injury which he suffered last month, during the South African T20 competition (Ram Slam).

“(Bravo and Pollard) may not be available, also we have an injury to Shannon (Gabriel) which would have set us back a little bit,” said Logie.

“That’s just the way it goes. It’s an opportunity for others to show (what they’re worth).” Two other experienced players, former captain Denesh Ramdin and batsman Darren Bravo, are in Australia with the West Indies Test team, and the Third and final Test in Sydney will take place from January 3-7.

“The information that we’ve received so far is that both Denesh Ramdin and Darren Bravo will be available once they return from their tour of Australia,” noted the Red Force coach.

Currently, the Regional Four Day Tournament is on a break after five out of the 10 rounds of matches, with the Red Force fourth on the six-team standings with 37 points, trailing the Guyana Jaguars (85), Barbados Pride (63) and Jamaica Scorpions (53).

“Basically with five games gone, halfway through the season, one has to look at whatever improvement there were from last year,” said Logie. “We’re in a better position than last year.

“I think at this stage last year we were second from the bottom, with 37 points - one win, two draws and two losses, I think that one has to take heart from the fact that we are able to draw games. We won one and we lost two, to the defending champions (Guyana) and against Jamaica, which I felt we could’ve won that game.

“In saying that, we’ve seen some improved performances, especially from some of the batters in the last game especially (against the Windward Islands Volcanoes),” he added. “It was heartening to see that, with two losses, one would have felt that the players would have been (putting the blame) on themselves.

But we were able to pick ourselves up, went to St Lucia and came out with an honourable draw against the Windwards.

“We’ve seen some maturity from those guys.

I’ll look forward to a little break and obviously look forward to the 50- over tournament. We have a better chance of retaining the championship.

And then continue on with the rest of the rounds in the Four Day competition.” Asked if the Red Force’s losses at home may raise debate to the fact that the players are more comfortable on foreign territories, Logie replied, “it’s funny because the players themselves have alluded to the fact that they seem to do better away from home and I think the evidence suggests that.

But I think what has happened, in hindsight one can suggest that the players bond together as a group and a lot more focus is placed on the games.

“It’s a lot of distractions at home and sometimes it takes away a bit of the focus from the job at hand. That is something they’ll have to deal with. I think it’s something the players are aware of, much more than be