Guyana Amazon Warriors in-form batsman, Brad Hodge believes a good batting, bowling and fielding performance today will play a crucial role in the home team’s first match at home when they tackle the Jamaica Tallawahs in match 24 of the Hero CPL T20 tournament.
Yesterday the home team engaged in a stiff practice session at the Guyana National Stadium, venue of today’s highly anticipated encounter where Hodge and Head Coach Carl Hooper gave insights into the Warriors’ agenda during their home leg of the tournament.
“We start from scratch again tomorrow. I think it was handy getting ahead in Jamaica. We got four games at home, we have to try and win at least three if not all four so we could go straight into the finals,” declared Hooper.
Hooper spoke highly of the Jamaicans who won the inaugural season of the competition.
“They will be a tough opposition. They have a couple of World Class T20 players and they haven’t been playing well but we still have our work cut out tomorrow (Today) and if we play our brand of cricket that we’re capable of playing we should do well,” the former West Indies skipper said.
The Warriors, who have been on an uprising over the past few matches, were lauded by Hooper who declared: “We got better towards the end of our away games. The first couple of games we were a bit scratchy. It takes a while for us to gel as a team. I thought in St Kitts and Jamaica we were really good so I think we should keep that momentum going and try to start off tomorrow with a win.”
When asked about areas of concern, the ex-Guyana Captain explained that the run-rate in the first few over needed to improve but he said he believes the team has finally come to the party.
“We were a bit slow up front, three four overs we would like to rotate more, but in the middle phase in the last few games we had Brad come in and play well for us.
“We caught well, the spinners have bowled well in the last game the quicks came into their own with (Ronsford) Beaton and (Merchant) de Lange. Tomorrow is a new day so we have to make sure we do all three of the disciplines well.”
Hodge, the Warriors best batsman, said teamwork is crucial for success while knowing specific roles are the keys to winning.
“It’s just a matter of gelling and understanding what everyone is doing in the team and that’s the hardest thing for a foreign player to come and try to understand everyone’s strengths and weaknesses within a week.
“Another thing is to sum up the conditions. The wickets have been a bit on the slower and turning side. I thought they would be a bit quicker. Guyana is a spinning wicket we are well aware of that. We had it covered in training also a couple of new guys coming in the side adds to a well-balanced and educated team who knows what they have to achieve.”
Speaking about the batting department, the 41-year-old Aussie said: “It’s nothing different, it’s a bit difficult in a batting unit when you have to find the continuity and gel but you don’t have to win all your games you just have to qualify for the finals. We are happy to be back home, it will still be a little tough for us but it will be tougher for the opposition.”
When asked about any team changes or injuries, Hooper explained that the final XI is usually picked on match day, adding that the team is injury free. He also added that he is aware of the home crowd wanting to see another knock from veteran batsman Shiv Chanderpaul but stated that the top four slots have been already filled by worthy performers.
“We don’t know, I suppose we as Guyanese would love to see Shiv play but the first four slots have been taken up by players who have been doing well so like I said tomorrow we will come up with the best possible team.”
The match will commence at 18:00hrs.
