Logie: Media WI players’ friend

WEST INDIES cricket coach Augustine Logie tells his players they must consider the media their friend and not their enemy.

Speaking from his Rousillac home yesterday, Logie said: “The time we have had to work with the players so far has been very short so we have not been able to work on media relations. “However we have told them that they must consider the media their friend and not their enemy. “Even beyond the media you have ex-players and supporters who might say things that are not to their liking but they must take it in stride. They must however be forceful enough to respond to their critics. “The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) noted to us that they are going to set up programmes for the players to learn to deal with the media and all of this is about to be put in place. “The players at the end of the day must be able to have greater self-confidence to deal with the media and this would translate into their play.”

Logie who was appointed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as coach of the senior team a week ago, said he is most likely to meet with the West Indies players at the end of next month in order to start preparations for the twin tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Since taking up his position, Logie has won rave reviews across the Caribbean for leading the West Indies to their series victory over Sri Lanka and the record victory against Australia in the final Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground. West Indies also won three successive one-day matches against the Aussies although losing the series 4-3, and this helped their world ranking. They moved from seventh on the International Cricket Council (ICC) one day international ratings to fourth behind the Australians, South Africa and England.

Logie said the team’s success was based on a lot of  things that were implemented, one of them being zero tolerance on indiscipline. “There is now a shift in the attitude of the players, as they now accept their roles fully. “Skipper Brian Lara has been an inspiration to the team and they have responded to his leadership. We have taught the players the value of  helping one another in this team sport and there has also been a marked increase in their general performances.” The WICB are yet to name an assistant to Logie but is expected to fill this void soon. Logie refused to be drawn into comment on his possible assistant saying it  was a matter for the regional Board.