UG Trojans’ cricket coach Joseph hopes for better 2020 season

ꟷ says lack of facilities a challenge

By Timothy Jaikarran

The UG Trojans cricket team had had a successful year in 2018, but were “not so fortunate” in 2019, having been confronted with a number of setbacks; and team coach Kenroy Joseph has said those challenges will impact the fortunes of the team when the cricket season returns in 2020.

“This year was a mixed year for us. We didn’t get much success in terms of moving on to the finals. We were not able to go to Suriname because of financial constraints, (but) we are trying to put things in place financially.
“I am very proud (of the team’s performance) as, out of the Trojans’ lineup, we had seven franchise players (emerging), such as Yakini Favourite, Devon Paul, Omesh Danram, Ershaad Ali, (and) Keon Roberts, just to name a few; which is a good (reflection) on us.
“Fitness was our major problem for this year, that is why we have to come back better (in the new year). Training will commence in the second week in January. We are not going to sit and wait for the cricketing season to restart then begin to train,” he declared.
Joseph described the team as lacking exposure. He noted that 2nd division cricket is an altogether different level from first division cricket, and he disclosed that the UG side does not have its own practice facility and is thus forced to share facilities with the GNIC. This, he said, poses a challenge, as players cannot get personalized attention from coaches, and thus do not benefit from having their areas of deficiency identified and examined.
He noted that the team “is far behind”, but opined that, with the addition of its own facility, the team can be back on top of things and lift the standard of university cricket.
Joseph also declared: “I am extremely grateful to the University of Guyana for allowing me to complete my Level 2 Coaching (certification), and I will be looking forward to a better partnership with the university, to foster more growth in cricket.”