KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica’s coach Junior Bennett on Tuesday identified team spirit and physical fitness as key areas in his side’s capture of the WICB Regional Four-day championship title.
The Jamaicans begin their last game of the season tomorrow at home against Guyana with an unbeatable 94 points, giving them their second regional first-class title in a row and eighth overall.
Bennett is not fully satisfied with the team’s batting but declared that other areas made up for any deficiency in that area.
“The batting was inconsistent but our bowlers bowled well and the team spirit has been very good,” he told CMC Sport.
The only team boasting as many as five players with 25 wickets or more so far his season, the Jamaicans are 19 points ahead of their nearest rivals Windward Islands (75) and are now celebrating their third regional first-class crown in five years.
“I am elated about our success, we have worked extremely hard as a team and one of the main reasons for our success has been our good physical condition as a team. We were strong in that department and praise must be given to physical trainer David Bernard Sr,” Bennett said.
Bernard has been Jamaica’s fitness trainer since 1983. His all-rounder son David Bernard Jr. has been a key member of Jamaica’s success this season with 25 wickets and a batting aggregate of 615 runs, second only to captain Tamar Lambert (662).
The Jamaicans set pace from the start of the tournament in early January and kept the top position for almost all of the season, with the exception of the end of the sixth round when Barbados led them (51-48) briefly.
Jamaica were back on top (60-51) after the seventh round and have kept a clear lead since then.
Bennett acknowledged difficulties with the extended season of home-and-away matches but suggested the concept should benefit West Indies cricket.
“We welcome it. The new format gives the players the opportunity to play more cricket. It has been hectic yes as travel in the eastern Caribbean is tough but the extended season is good for regional cricket,” he said.
The Jamaicans have an unmatched six wins, two losses and three draws in their 11 matches so far and Bennett is concerned that their results away have been better than at home.
Their only defeats this season have come at home to the Leewards and Windwards, two sides they had beaten away in the earlier rounds.
“It is something that we will have to look at as a management team. In the first six games there were five away matches and we did very well (unbeaten), but back home so far out of a possible 60, we have only got 34 points,” he said.
Bennett also praised the development programme the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has in place to prepare national teams, with the new George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy they are about to collect, the latest crown for their coffers.
“Yes definitely, there is a good programme here in Jamaica. Credit to the Jamaica Cricket Association,” he said.
“We have looked at all programmes, Under-15, Under-19, the female team and the seniors and it is an extensive programme with all teams having good preparation before competition.
“Last year, the female team and Under-15 team were champions, the Under-19s won the year before and now the seniors have repeated as champions,” Bennett said.
