Murray: Cricket clubs responsible for youth development

NATIONAL Under-15 cricketers came in for high praise for winning both  the recently concluded CLICO West Indies Under-15 limited overs and two-day series contested here two weeks ago. But the question was asked, how can we enhance the development of these youths and by extension prepare them for a place on the West Indies team in the future? Carib Brewery marketing manager Colin Murray has thrown that responsibility on the shoulders of local clubs.

The ex-national cricketer expressed the view yesterday, that clubs play the most pivotal role in the development of players. He noted the clubs are supposed to weed out all the inferior styles and technique in batting and bowling, and correct them. But Murray feels responsibilities have been neglected by clubs because of the misunderstanding of their roles, as well as their focus on winning. He said further,  there is a need to keep successful youth teams together, having them train together until the next youth tournament comes up. Murray made it clear that in keeping the current under-15 team together, you would have a ready-made base for coaches to work with.

Recruiting new players into the team he said would be fairly simple since the base of the team would have already been there. He said far too often successful youth teams are broken up then brought back together for tournaments the following year. Murray claimed that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) should utilise the facilities available , to host live-in camps for three or four days in per week at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) and work extensively on the technique of the young batsmen and bowlers. Murray added further that keeping successful teams together should be done at all levels and divisions.