Harper urges Berbice cricketers to master the fundamentals at Albion coaching session

Former West Indies all-rounder and internationally-respected coach Roger Harper says Berbice’s emerging senior cricketers must “appreciate the importance of the fundamentals” if they intend to build long and successful cricket careers.
Harper was speaking on Sunday with <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> at the Berbice Cricket Board’s senior batting clinic, held at the Albion Community Centre Ground, where dozens of selected players took part in a full morning of technical work, drills, and skill-specific guidance.

The session follows last week’s announcement of the clinic, which the BCB said was meant to sharpen the readiness of players vying for selection to represent the county in upcoming regional competitions.
Asked about the significance of clinics like Sunday’s session, Harper was clear that cricketing development began with a disciplined foundation.
“I think it’s an opportunity to really impart some of the fundamentals with the players,” he said.
“Make sure that they understand, not just understand, but appreciate the importance of the fundamentals… successful careers are built on a strong base, a firm understanding of the fundamentals.”
Harper explained that many promising players focus heavily on scoring runs, but often overlook the technical building blocks that create consistency.
“We want them to understand exactly what those fundamentals are from a batting perspective,” he said, “Also, the importance of the right sort of approach and attitude to batting.”

Questioned on the impact of a single session, Harper pointed out that knowledge today should realise improvement tomorrow.
He believes such clinics can spark meaningful change in players who remain committed afterward.
“One session like this can improve their knowledge. Hopefully they will be able to grab something from me and go on and continue to work on that and practise it,” he said.
The former West Indies off-spin bowler noted that several Berbice coaches were also present and actively participating.
“There were a couple of coaches around, so they will be able to see what is being done and build on that. It wasn’t meant to be a coaching session for coaches, but their involvement helps the players long after today is over,” Harper added.
Players spent the morning rotating through batting drills, technique stations, and discussions on mental preparation – areas Harper repeatedly highlighted as essential to long-term success.
For many, Sunday’s session was a rare chance to train under a former West Indies Vice Captain whose reputation for discipline, sharp fielding, and deep cricketing intelligence remains unmatched.
Sunday’s clinic drew the BCB’s selected group of senior players, including Adrian Sukwah, Afrigal Kadir, Rampersaud and Rampertab Ramnauth, Leon Andrews, Ricardo and Romario Ramdehol, Kevin Sinclair, Steven Embrack, Rishi Persaud, Ayinde Rogers, Nigel Deodat and others identified earlier.
The BCB has emphasised that participation in these structured development programmes will be a key factor in evaluating readiness for county and national selection.
As Berbice continues strengthening its competitive structure, Harper’s reminder was simple but powerful: talent opens the door, but fundamentals keep a player in the game. (Andrew Carmichael)