RIDING HIGH on confidence after ending 2014 on top of the points table in the West Indies Cricket Board/Professional Cricket League Regional four-day cricket tournament, the Guyana Jaguars squad last Saturday commenced preparation for this year’s NAGICO Super 50 tournament, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from 15th to 24th January with a fitness session at the Guyana National Stadium.Eight teams will do battle for supremacy out of two groups, with the Jaguars being placed in group ‘A’ alongside defending champions Barbados Pride, Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Combined Campuses and Colleges, all of whom they will meet in the preliminary round.
The players under the guidance of head coach Esuan Crandon, Assistant Coach/Manager Rayon Griffith and their assistants in Michael Hyles Franco, Clive Grimmond and Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart, underwent fitness sessions including beep test, runner three, 10-meter get up and sprint and 40-meter sprint which was checked at four stations.
However, rain interrupted the sessions but Crandon said he was pleased with what he saw from the players prior to the interruption, calling it an improvement in their fitness level.
“Looking at the results it’s evident that there is an improvement, we want to see the players maintain a certain level of fitness,” Crandon added.
He stated that the team spirit is high and they are looking to continue their good showing from the four-day competition, adding, “We are working to improve in all aspects of the game and we need to renew our attitude in 2015. A professional work ethics is also important.”
Crandon was also optimistic of the Jaguars’ chances in the tournament, one that saw them meeting the semifinal stage before losing to the Barbados Pride, who went onto defeat the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to take the title.
“Looking at the squad, we have some very talented players and it is very important how we use them. It is vital that we get off to a good start so that we can build on it, but it is not going to be an easy task, but we are capable enough,” said Crandon.
The team is expected to be announced soon and will have two practice matches on Wednesday and Friday, before departing for the Twin Island Republic on Tuesday 13th January and swing into action two days later when they oppose the Volcanoes at the picturesque Queen’s Park Oval in their first match.