Home Sports “They will be ready” – Coach Simmons speaking on IPL players in...
The West Indies Men’s team are currently in Queenstown, New Zealand and are training at the John Davies Oval.
While there is no concern about the preparedness of that batch, who finished their quarantine period last week; the group of players who recently participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and are still in quarantine are the cause for many fans’ and analyst’s worries. 
However, despite the fact that the group featuring the likes of Captain Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Guyanese duo Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, and Fabian Allen, will finish their quarantine period on November 26, Head Coach Phil Simmons is adamant that they will be ready for the first showdown on November 27 at Eden Park.
“I think with them practicing and getting good facilities, like we know there is for them to practice; I think everybody would ready,” Simmons asserted.
Despite shrugging off the quarantine issue, Simmons shared that he is keeping a close eye on the batting and their consistency, since it has been a downfall in times past.
“I think the big areas are consistency, especially in the bowling and understanding situations especially in the batting. We’ve had situations that we were in control of games and people give away their wicket so, you know, things like that areas the main things we’re working on now,” Simmons divulged.
The Coach also went on to share that the team is in high spirits, saying, “Things have been good, a few days have been cold but most of the days have been nice and warm. You know when it’s warm West Indies team tends to thrive, they’ve been very good, they’ve been enjoying it.”
When probed about the utilization of the reserve players in the team, Simmons shared that it has been great having them around, and they would also benefit from experience and training.
“It’s been great! Everybody has been looking to do what’s necessary, and working hard and looking to make sure that they’re doing everything for the team right now, and that’s been great,” Simmons commented.
He continued stating, “It’s very beneficial to all of them, because they see what it’s like to be part of a West Indies tour, they see what it’s like to train with West Indies team, and we work with them also, even though they’re reserves, to improve their games.”
West Indies will battle New Zealand A in two practice matches from November 20-22 and November 26-29, while the T20 series will see matches on November 27, 28 and 30.
The Men in Maroon will also contest two tests from December 2-6 and December 10-15. (Jemima Holmes)
