Banglash tour will test HPC

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – High Performance Centre head coach, Graeme West believes conditions on the upcoming tour of Bangladesh will be a major test for his fledgling side.

The HPC team, led by all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, will leave today on a month-long trip that comprises two four-day matches, three one-day matches and two Twenty20s. “It is going to be quite a big challenge for a number of the players that have never played in Bangladesh or India or Pakistan or Sri Lanka,” West pointed out.

“We have tried our best to prepare them for the type of conditions that they will experience over there. This will be a huge challenge for them, rather than playing in their own home territory in conditions that are familiar to them.” West, who took over at the HPC for the new season which started in May, said they were bracing for the slow surfaces which would assist the home teams’ spinners.

Carlos Brathwaite

The Englishman also said they were also gearing up for the stifling sub-continent heat.  “We are prepared for a lot of spin and a lot of turning pitches. We have prepared them for very hot weather. Ultimately, we will playing against the group of players that are 100 per cent committed to playing cricket and will give possibly everything that they have,” West noted.

“This will be the big obstacle. We know we have the ability and the HPC is all about development. The next month will be about developing skills and hopefully some of the players will get an opportunity on the international stage to play there again.” The Caribbean side opens with a four-day match against the Bangladesh National Cricket Academy from September 16-19 before following up with the second final four-day encounter against Bangladesh A starting three days later.

They also face Bangladesh A in the limited overs series running from September 28 to October 5. West said the tour would also help the HPC players to improve their proficiency in all formats of the game.

“What we now need to work hard on is honing the skills, specifically for the different conditions, and different types of match situations,” he explained. “Right now, there are three forms of the game, and if you want to be an international player, you have got to master all three.” He continued: “I think a lot of the players would say they are strong in one or possibly two forms of the game, but they have a lot of work to do in the third format.” The HPC warmed up on Thursday with a T20 warm-up match against West Indies who are preparing for the World Twenty20 Championship in Sri Lanka later this month.