CWI continues to drive culture of fitness among Caribbean players – Gulston delighted with Guyana turn-out

The Guyana Jaguars held their post-season franchise fitness test at the National Track and Field Synthetic Track in Leonora on Saturday last. Among the central contracted Jaguars players were the academy players who were engaged in a 20-metre yo-yo sprint test which tests the standards of the players. The event was coordinated by Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine at Cricket West Indies, Dr Oba Gulston.
Speaking exclusively to this daily publication, Dr Gulston said that Cricket West Indies (CWI) continue to instill fitness in their players. “We continue to test the fitness of the franchise players, the senior and Women’s players, which the CWI board has continued to see improvements in the players,” Gulston stated.
The post-season fitness session saw some 35 Guyanese players involved. This fitness programme has been conducted for each team at the beginning and end of each season of the CWI Regional 4-Day tournaments.
Gulston explained that the turn-out in Guyana has been great over the past years, but the fitness programme focuses on the players’ strengths. He added that the coaches in Guyana will be able to gather information to know where each player stands in their fitness.
“The coaches will be able to assist the players on what they need to improve on when the analysis is conducted at this fitness session”, Gulston explained.
He added that the recent CWI board meeting approved a minimum level players must attain to earn selection in West Indies teams. “For all male senior players to earn selection in Windies teams, the minimum level they must attain at the 20-metre yo-yo test is 40”, Gulston revealed during his exclusive chat with Guyana Times Sport. This fitness activity gives the players the opportunity to prove to the selectors the fitness they possess.
Present at the event was Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Rayon Griffith, Academy Coach Julian Moore, Clive Grimmond and veteran Michael Hyles. The Jaguars physiotherapist, Neil Barry Junior, was accompanied by other Cricket West Indies representatives at the National Track and Field Synthetic Track, Leonora. Among the fittest Guyana players were Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach and Raun Johnson. (Brandon Corlette)