BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Title-holders Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) Marooners will be missing the bulk of their championship-winning squad but have no intention of simply rolling over, when they launch the defence of their Regional Super50 crown next week.

“Fans can expect a team that will play positively and fearlessly, as it looks to defend its title,” said new head coach, Pedro Collins.
“We are the defending champions and we expect everyone to come very hard at us. We have got to be ready for the fight. We have been preparing well.

“There are a lot of changes to the squad from last year – we are missing around nine players from the last set-up – but this means another group of players get an opportunity to showcase their talent, so we are looking forward to a good, exciting tournament.”
Crucially, former West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite will lead the side again this year, after missing out on the series against Afghanistan in India also starting next week.

The big-hitting all-rounder, who also bowls steady medium pace, was one of the leading players last year, averaging 53 with the bat and grabbing 13 wickets.
However, he will have just three players from last year’s unit, with Kyle Corbin, Jonathan Drakes and Ojay Shields the only ones returning.

Collins, who has taken over from Floyd Reifer now in charge of West Indies Emerging Players, concedes there will be pressure in trying to live up to expectations, especially with the plethora of new players.

“There is a lot of pressure. We are missing the nucleus of last year’s team and it will be tough on the young players, but they appear willing to take on the challenge,” said the former Windies left-arm seamer.

“We have a few practice games and mocked up some game scenarios, and they seem to be hitting the targets. It will be a bit of pressure, but we will work to reassure them that it’s just another game, though it may be tougher than what they may be accustomed to playing.

“This is the ‘big time’ now and they will need to step up. We do not expect miracles, but we want them to be positive and be ready for the challenge.”
As such, much of the responsibility will rest on Brathwaite’s shoulders, and Collins agreed he would be key to the Marooners’ success on and off the field.

“He’s a very important piece of the puzzle. Last year, he was very instrumental in calming down the players, reinforcing situational awareness, not just on the field, but off the field, he was a leader,” Collins pointed out.

“The players had fun together. We always tried to do things as a team and he brought that calmness to the group. No one looked up to him to do everything, but everybody knew what they had to do, everybody played their role and did them to the best of their ability, which made life easier for the coaches.

“All the boxes were ticked and this what we are looking to do again. Team bonding is very important in the short space of time we will be together. The quicker we bond, the better for the team.”

Marooners will contest Group A of the November 6 to December 1 tournament, alongside the likes of Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Canada at Warner Park and Conaree Sports Complex.

SQUAD – Carlos Brathwaite, Kyle Corbin, Romaine Morris, Akeem Jordan, Jonathan Drakes, Ojay Shields, Kavesh Kantasingh, Larry Joseph, Abhijai Mansingh, Sadique Du Shawn, Luciano Henry, Odain Orlando McCatty, Jarlarnie Niquan, Nigel Seales, Paul Palmer, Akshaya Persaud.