Griffith cites improved fitness as reason for Jaguars success

Guyana Jaguars Assistant Coach/Manager Rayon Griffith credited the improved fitness level among the players as one of the main reasons for the team’s success thus far in the ongoing Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four Day tournament.

Rayon Griffith
Rayon Griffith

Griffith, during an interview with Stabroek Sport, said he knew the consistent training among the players which began some two weeks after they reclaimed the regional 4-day title last season, was pivotal in building a mentally and physically stronger team which comprehensively won their first three matches at home against Windwards, Leewards and Barbados.

“We restarted training two weeks after the season ended and we did a lot of gym work, training as a team and family. Definitely the players have gotten better but we still have work to do,” he said. Speaking about how the weekly training sessions have helped the players with their batting and bowling in the first three rounds, Griffith said he was happy to see the bowlers, pacer Ronsford Beaton in particular, bowling for longer hours while executing those duties properly.

“In the fast bowling department, the bowlers showed a lot of improvement from last season, and I was especially happy to see young Beaton spending more time on the field and that’s due to the training which helps with concentration because once you’re fit, you will concentrate more when you’re playing on the field,” Griffith declared.

In the fielding department, the players have not met their full potential yet, Griffith said, “but they have been improving in the field. The guys have been diving and throwing their bodies for the ball and that’s due to their good fitness levels.” While mentioning a few of the blemishes the players had during the matches, Griffith asserted that “a few blemishes in matches happen in cricket.”

“The batsmen have also been good so far,” the Assistant/Coach Manager said. “They spent long times batting and while only