Head Coach Andre Coley emphasised the importance of the West Indies A crew’s tour of South Africa in shaping and enhancing the depth of expertise within the longer codecs of cricket inside the Caribbean.
The crew, below the management of wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva, launched into their journey from Barbados on Tuesday. Throughout this tour, they may compete in three “Assessments” towards South Africa A between November 21 and December 8, with matches happening in Benoni, East London, and Bloemfontein.
Coley defined, “It’s going to give us a possibility to spice up our red-ball alternatives exterior of the Caribbean. Earlier this yr, we went to Bangladesh, and we did effectively there, and now we’re going to one other a part of the world – South Africa.”
Insights about South Africa as a cricketing vacation spot
He continued, “It’s going to give us a possibility to discover the model of cricket that we wish to play. Our subsequent worldwide project is in Australia, and 6 months after that, we go to England, so this A crew is positioned to supply red-ball enjoying alternatives on the again of the just-concluded Super50 Cup.”
Coley, who additionally serves as the top coach of the West Indies senior Take a look at aspect, has expertise accompanying Kraigg Brathwaite’s squad on their tour to South Africa final yr. He shared insights about South Africa as a cricketing vacation spot, saying, “The South Africans are a crew that wish to play a particular method, and so they at all times look to problem you, however they respect our gamers.”
He added, “The pitches have supplied tempo, have supplied bounce, so you should have pitches on which you’ll be able to belief the bounce. Gamers can, subsequently, specific themselves, whether or not they’re batting or bowling.”
Study to win over time
Whereas victories are the first objective of the tour, Coley emphasised different goals essential for the event of the West Indies squad, stating, “You study to win over time.” He emphasised the significance of key gamers performing effectively with each bat and ball and constructing partnerships within the decrease order to reinforce batting choices.
Tevin Imlach was named vice-captain of the squad, which incorporates 5 gamers with senior Take a look at expertise. Moreover, three gamers who made their first-class debuts this yr have been named within the squad.
Assistant coaches Jimmy Adams and Shaun Tait, each with vital cricketing expertise, will assist Coach Coley throughout the tour.