West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s XI assistant coach Rayon Griffith has commended the hunger and attitude shown by his young side during the two recent practice games against India ahead of the upcoming Test series beginning Thursday.
Griffith, assistant coach of the 2015/16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day champs Guyana Jaguars, told Stabroek Sport yesterday that he was happy to see the way the WICB XI held their own, managing two draws against a star-studded Indian side just days before they prepare to battle the West Indies during the Caribbean tour.
“Generally after not playing for some four months, it could have been better, but because of the weather around the Caribbean they were lacking play time but they represented themselves well and with each game the players showed improvement.
“We didn’t get great scores from the batters, but they were some sort of improvements from each of them,” Griffith said.
He pointed out that the batsmen did well despite Shai Hope being the lone century maker and acknowledged the fight shown by Rajendra Chandrika, Jermaine Blackwood and Jomel Warrican who all made half centuries.
He also praised Vishaul Singh, Rakeem Cornwall and others who had decent scores with the bat.
“After the performances from the First-Class season, then coming to India I think they were up for the challenge. We didn’t get the big scores but Blackwood batted well in the second match.
“I think it’s one of the better innings I’ve seen by him, he batted with patience and I would have liked him to go on to make a hundred,” said Griffith.
He continued: “Hope, Cornwall, Chandrika played well and I think Cheesy (Singh) showed that he could bat at that level.”
Griffith also hailed the leadership of Leon Johnson who he called a “proactive captain” and said despite the left-hander not scoring much in the two games, he was happy with the developments he saw as the two matches progressed.
While the batsmen gave a decent account of themselves, Griffith, a former Guyana pacer said he was extremely pleased by the bowlers who ensured that none of the Indians made a century.
“The bowlers had a plan and they stuck to it. They weren’t intimidated by the opposition, they didn’t play names, they played cricket and all the bowlers, especially the pacers did well”.
Experienced West Indies fast-bowler Kemar Roach, who was a part of the Team, also earned the praise of Griffith who said the Barbadian’s attitude was brilliant as he was looked upon as a mentor by the younger guys.
“Kemar had a good attitude and the younger bowlers learned a lot from
him. Pacers like Keon Joseph, Jason Dawes, Marquino Mindley and Chemar Holder bowled with aggression and pace which was good to see.”
From a personal perspective, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chairman of National Selectors said the experience did wonders for his career and he expects that it will allow him to further improve the relationship and the success of his national side ahead of the upcoming Regional season.
“It was wonderful, it was a good experience for me because every step you make you always gain some experience and the most important thing for me was being around the set-up, meeting the other guys form the other islands, it was wonderful. The team gelled nicely and came together and I think they were a humble bunch of guys,” he explained.
“I think their attitude is right thing for West Indies cricket, the humbleness and eagerness, they really wanted to play and be competitive against India. They didn’t dominate us (India) and we didn’t dominate them and it showed in both areas”.
Griffith also admitted that it was good to work with head coach Henderson Springer who he said he forged a good relationship with over the games. “Working with Henderson Springer, the respect was there we worked well as a team. I would have gained more experience and gotten more ideas from him.”
While Griffith was with the WICB XI, his partner and head coach of the Jaguars Esaun Crandon is currently the assistant coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors which team is doing well in the ongoing Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the former pacer thinks it will help to reinforce the team’s progress this season. “I think it will be more valuable for the team, we will be able to help the players because the more knowledge we gain is better for us as coaches.”
