BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Trinidadian all-rounder Rayad Emrit has cautioned Barbados Tridents against complacency, as they prepare to defend their title in this month’s Caribbean Premier League.Tridents beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in a rain-affected final in St Kitts last year to win the 2014 edition.
And Emrit said even though Tridents had an excellent chance of retaining their title, he warned that other teams had strengthened significantly and winning again would be no formality.
“The team has gelled really well and the most important thing is that we have the core players who have played in the last two seasons,” Emrit said.
“It’s always good when you go into tournaments such as these – franchise cricket – where this is a team that already knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I think that’s what we have over a lot of other teams.
“I personally think we have, if not the best chance, one of the best chances of winning the tournament so I think we can repeat again.”
He cautioned: “But it’s easier said than done and we have to work hard. Obviously we are the champions and every team is going to come and play us as hard as they can, so we need to step up. We can’t do the same things we have been doing for the past two seasons because teams are going to work us out so we need to prepare well.”
Tridents will launch the defence of their title in the curtain-raising game of the tournament, when they clash with Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval on June 20.
They will also do battle with 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs, last year’s semi-finalists Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and new-kids-on-the-block St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, in the space of eight days at the Oval.
Despite the challenging nature of the team’s opening games, Emrit believes Tridents had the ability to cope, especially since gaining valuable experience at last year’s Champions Trophy in India.
“After playing our first game against Kings XI Punjab we knew we could have beaten them. In fact, the first two games we played we had it in our hands and we let it slip away,” explained Emrit, who captained the side during the tournament.
“We came to realise we could compete with the best in the world and our eyes opened up. I think it was a good learning experience … and I think Tridents know now how good they really are.
“Take Jonathan Carter, for example, he scored a hundred and it is something he relishes, and I think he is going to be a very important player for us. I think Champions League was a real eye-opener and something great for Barbados Tridents.”
Emrit snatched 12 wickets during the last CPL campaign, and delivered telling performances in the last two preliminary games when Tridents crushed Tallawahs and Red Steel, to book a direct spot in the final.
He said he enjoyed the responsibility of big games, and was looking forward to similar experiences in the coming season.
“Whenever it comes to the big games, you know that you will be put in these positions of carrying the team especially in pressure situations,” he said.
“I’ve done it before so I’m used to it and CPL is one of the biggest tournaments in the world with a great atmosphere and I tend to thrive when it comes to the big games so it’s no pressure really.
“I really enjoy when I’m put in pressure situations and hopefully this season I can come out on top, if not all of the time most of the time.”
The final of the tournament is set for July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago.