With big names like Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Shamar Joseph riding the bench in West Indies’ first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture on Sunday last, West Indies are experiencing some ‘good headaches’.
Quizzed about what changes can possibly be made for their next game against Uganda this weekend, Head Coach Daren Sammy told local media operatives that it’s only dependent on conditions, since his team is stacked with match winners.
“I have fifteen match winners; you know, everybody up for selection. Obviously, the start of the tournament, that’s the eleven we thought, against this opposition would be good for us. We’re going to assess again, it’s a night game, different conditions. We saw the night game Afghanistan versus Uganda, we saw how the wicket played, we’re going to assess and trust in the selection process, that whoever we put out there on the field will turn up for us and perform,” the West Indies Head Coach shared.
West Indies are in preparation for their second T20 World Cup match, to be played at the Guyana National Stadium
The Head Coach delved into the topic of roles he has assigned his players, highlighting the flack he has received for Roston Chase’s selection, which has paid off thus far.
Sammy explained, “When we identified some of the areas we had to improve (on) in order to be successful, not in this World Cup but in T20 cricket period, that person when the wicket’s difficult, rotate the ball around; he [Roston Chase] and Shai, you know that’s their role, with Pooran who we know can be very destructive. You need that calm factor, that security at one end.
“Chase is one of the players over the years I get cursed for a lot, but I am with these guys every day and understand what skillset and what role they bring to this team. So, I’m really proud of the way he’s accepted the role; and again, like I tell him, if you look at the bench, who’s on the bench. Guys who play gotta come and perform, because they got men waiting to come in and at any time can fit in,” he went on to say.
Elaborating on the matter of roles, Sammy revealed that it has helped to manage selection expectations, even though the quality on the bench has made selection tougher.
“I think the culture we’ve built in this team. I think I pride myself on honest conversations, making sure that the guys understand I don’t look at the personnel, I look at the roles required to be executed and fit the person best required for that role. Once I take out the emotions and the personnel, and like I said look at the role, then the selection becomes very easy,” Sammy related.
But it hasn’t been easy. When you look at Hetty on the bench, you have two fast bowlers on the bench, you have Shai on the bench… So, we have a quality side, and it’s always good when you have competition for places because of performance,” the Head Coach concluded.
West Indies will take on Uganda next on Saturday, June 8, at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) from 20:30hrs local time.
