… Gayle says HPC had him in a corner
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick hailed the way that the Sagicor High Performance Centre side played throughout the Regional Super50 Tournament, particularly following a close semi-final with Jamaica. Estwick spoke after a tense finish on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, where the Jamaicans survived a scare from the HPC to squeak into the Final against Trinidad and Tobago, with a one-wicket victory with one ball remaining.
“They have done this programme of the HPC proud and we are very happy even though we have lost,” said Estwick.
“It’s the final game for this bunch and to go out this way was a little hard. They really showed that they have worked hard and have learnt a lot from their time at the HPC. It would have been grand for them to finish it off with a place in the Final. They looked a good unit and have done West Indies proud with their performances in this tournament.”
Estwick said he was concerned that the players may now slack off when they return to their respective homes, having completed the programme.
“It’s whether they follow up and keep their fitness and keep working hard and build on the tools for success that they were given in the HPC,” he said. “If they can do this, I think our cricket can turn the corner.
“I am also involved at the Under-19 level, so I know and I can see and I have always believed that the future of West Indies cricket is in good hands.
“Once we keep the programmes going and the players buy into the fitness regimen and understand that to play international cricket they have to be an athlete first and a cricketer after, we can improve.
“We know the skill level of West Indian players, and once we can do these things, we should be okay.”
There was a tinge of sadness in the voice of HPC captain Shamarh Brooks for two reasons. Apart from his side missing out on a place in the final, Brooks was also sad to say farewell to his teammates with whom he had grown close over the last two years of the programme.
“We still can hold our heads high for the effort we gave,” he said. “Credit must go to the fellas for sticking to it like they did. It was really a pleasure playing with this group because it was our last mas’ and, as we all return home, I hope we all keep going 100 per cent and keep the standards high.”
The biggest compliment for the HPC came from Jamaica’s captain Chris Gayle. The talismanic batsman was very impressed with the way the HPC players pushed his side.
“I was very nervous,” he quipped. “They had the mighty Chris Gayle in a corner and I was not so cool after all.”