“Looking forward to exciting tournament” – Head Coach Crandon

Windies ‘B’ tour of Canada…
– Guyanese elated over new role

By Clifton Ross

Newly appointed West Indies ‘B’ team Head Coach; Esuan Crandon said he’s elated over his appointment as he plans to help the team properly prepare ahead of the Canada Cricket Summerfest tournament; which bowls off on September 1.
Crandon, the Guyana Jaguars four-time Cricket west Indies Regional 4-Day winning coach was named Head Coach while former Windies pace legend Sir Curtly Ambrose was named coach of the Windies B team as they set to lock horns with the Canadians in 3 T20’s and two One Day Internationals.
Following a practice session at the Everest Cricket Club ground with some of his local players; the ex-Guyana pacer told Guyana Times Sport that he was privileged to be entrusted with the role of Head Coach of the Windies B side. “I’m very happy and elated of the opportunity given to me to coach the team not only me [but] the young players as well. So I’m looking forward to a very exciting tournament with some exciting players in the squad.”
Crandon and Skipper Anthony Bramble are the lone Guyanese in the squad while Neil Barry Jr. is appointed as the physiotherapist and will be on his maiden trip at this level. Bramble who led the Windies ‘B’ team to the inaugural Global T20 League in Canada in July is retained as captain and his coach believes he’s the right man for the job.
‘It’s always good to have your countrymen alongside you in any tournament. Bramble has proven his capabilities especially in the shorter versions and he had a good season in the 4-day tournament and he’s a good cricketer so I’m looking forward to working with him and the other guys in the side,” said Crandon.
While Crandon has found success since 2013/14 by winning the Regional 4-Day title every year since, the former all-rounder said that he hopes to replicate similar results in the upcoming tournament, he’s keeping one eye trained on making few errors.
“I look at it as cricket, it’s just a different kind because we are going to play white ball cricket. It’s a lot of differences; the shorter version is one day so you can’t make too many mistakes on that day. There is also not much time to make up after then because in4-Day you can make mistakes and make up in the sessions or days after but T20 and ODI is just one day,” Crandon explained.
Bramble and a few of his players in the side will be returning to Canada after they lost in the Finals of the Global T20. With a new-look side, Crandon believed that once they team plays as a unit and executes their plans well; success can be achieved over the next week.
“I had the opportunity to coach the Guyana Jaguars in 50 over cricket, obviously we have to go and adjust to conditions as a group and prepare well and execute well as a group. I have had an opportunity to view the Canada T20 League, I have a fairly good idea about their pitches and so plus we have some guys who will be going back to Canada so they can share experience with the new guys so it will be good when we get up there.”
Meanwhile, the Windies ‘B’ team will tackle the Canadians at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in Toronto. The sides will engage in three T20’s and two ODI’s bowling off from September 1.
West Indies B team- Anthony Bramble (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Alick Athanaze, Sheeno Berridge, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Derval Green, Jahmar Hamilton, Sherman Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Kimani Melius, Jeavor Royal and Jomel Warrican
Team Management Unit- Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Sir Curtly Ambrose (Coach), Alexander Forde (Strength & Conditioning Trainer), Neil Barry (Physiotherapist) and Avenesh Seetaram (Data Capturer)