Crandon welcomes CWI Women’s coaching portfolio

— credits RHTY&SC for producing female cricketers

By Brandon Corlette

Time after time, Coach Esuan Crandon has shown his skill and ability to reap success for the Guyana Jaguars in the Regional 4-Day tournament. He has been in and out of the West Indies coaching setup; but, for the first time, he is with the West Indies Women team, where he will perform the role of Assistant Coach.
In an exclusive interview with this daily publication, Crandon said he is happy to be back with the West Indies setup, and has welcomed the opportunity presented him by Cricket West Indies.
“I love coaching, and I would not turn down an opportunity like this,” Crandon said.
Crandon brings with him a wealth of experience in coaching, having been there all along with the five-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars. He gave great credit to the Jaguars franchise.
“I believe in my simple coaching philosophy. With whomever I am coaching, I strive for my philosophy and ensure I keep it simple; so, it would not be challenging heading into this series,” the West Indies Women’s assistant Coach said.
Crandon is convinced the principles of cricket remain the same, and this change to the female team is not a huge change in cricket. The Berbician has had experience coaching female players at the local level, and has been following the Women’s game closely over the years.
Crandon says he has cherished the moments spent with his family during the break from cricket induced by COVID-19. He says it had given him time to reflect on his coaching career and set himself goals.
Speaking about the squad currently in England, Crandon says there is a lot of experience in the group. From a Guyanese perspective, he disclosed that the five Guyanese players in the squad: Shemaine Campbell, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Kaysia Schultz and Cherry-Ann Fraser, are all talented players.
“The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) is probably the most vibrant (cricketing) organisation (in Guyana). It has ‘women’ cricket going on throughout the year, and it is paying dividends to the club, which continues to produce good players,” Crandon highlighted.
Crandon believes the West Indies Women have a good chance of winning the series in England, but he says the games would be a good challenge.
“It’s just for us to cash in and make full use of this opportunity, especially in this training time,” Crandon has declared.

West Indies Women’s full squad reads:
Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Natasha McLean, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Lee-Ann Kirby, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Kaysia Schultz.
MATCH SCHEDULE Vitality T20I Series
Monday, September 21: 1st Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Wednesday, September 23: 2nd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Saturday, September 26: 3rd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Monday, September 28: 4th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies
Wednesday, September 30: 5th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies