Jaguars blockbuster most important game of the season – Pride Head Coach

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette
Barbados Pride have certainly looked a formidable unit in this season of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day championships. The supreme team of the tournament have 116 points in seven matches, 30.2 points ahead of their closet opponents, Guyana Jaguars.

On the eve of the match that promises to be a blockbuster, Pride Head Coach Emmerson Trotman disclosed that this was the most important match of the season for the Pride unit.

“Playing against the five-time champions and since we are looking to be champions, it’s important that we get a good game against Guyana. They have been playing and a win would be important to us,” Trotman posited.

When asked what has been the winning formula for the Pride team, Coach Trotman noted that it was the discipline to execute well. He added that this gave the players confidence heading into the upcoming rounds. With Test Captain Jason Holder in the squad fresh from a stint in Sri Lanka with the West Indies team, Trotman said this was a motivation.

“It’s always going to be a boost, because Holder is a top-class player; he would make anybody’s team in the world. He would motivate the youngsters and he is a great player and the Pride unit is a happy one with his return,” Trotman added. Sharing his sentiments on what to expect at Providence, Trotman disclosed that it was a good wicket to play on, so they were looking forward to “a good outcome”.
A good find for Pride this season has been former West Indies U-19 fast bowler Chemar Holder, who has 34 wickets in what has been a consistent season. Coach Trotman stated that he has been a very good listener, and Coach Vasbert Drakes has been working with him and he has been executing. “Having some of the West Indies players like Kemar Roach that has also been a motivation for Holder.”
Pride star-player this season has been Kyle Mayers, who has 630 runs at an average of 57.27, with two centuries and five half-centuries. Shayne Mosely has 475 runs while the out-of-form Kraigg Brathwaite, who has an average of 25, has 336 runs. Test quick Roach has 21 wickets while Keon Harding has 29 wickets.
Pride squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain); Shamarh Brooks; Jonathan Carter; Shane Dowrich; Justin Greaves; Keon Harding; Chemar Holder; Jason Holder; Kyle Mayers; Shayne Moseley; Ashley Nurse; Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican.
IN – Carter, Holder, Roach; OUT – Dominic Drakes, Kevin Stoute, Tevyn Walcott