GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Guyana Amazon Warriors head coach Roger Harper says his side’s preparations are taking shape ahead of next Wednesday’s start of the Caribbean Premier League.
The squad has been assembling here over the last week and with just captain Martin Guptill and a couple players left to arrive, Harper said his management team would begin to put the final touches in place.
“We’re building on teamwork (this week) so the guys can get to know each other better and come together as a team and working with and for each other,” Harper said Tuesday.
“We’re expecting (Sohail) Tanvir to come later on this evening and Dwayne Smith to come in the morning.”
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, currently involved in the Tri-Nations Series against West Indies and South Africa in Barbados, is also set to arrive at the weekend.
He is one of four overseas-based players who will turn out for Warriors, as fellow Australian Chris Lynn is also in the line-up.
This season, Amazon Warriors have acquired all-rounder Rayad Emrit and shotgun opener Dwayne Smith from Barbados Tridents and with the likes of West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo also on the roster, Harper said he was confident he possessed a squad that could challenge for the title.
“I think we have a pretty good all round squad,” said the former Test off-spinner and West Indies head coach.
“It’s a Twenty20 format and these guys have got the skills for the Twenty20 format, so it’s all about how well we can play collectively as a team and on each match day. After the camp we go straight off to St. Kitts for the competition.”
Amazon Warriors open their campaign on June 30 when they clash with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the opening contest of the Basseterre leg. The CPL runs from June 29 to August 7, with the first game taking place next Wednesday between title-holders Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks.
