Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), Johan Botha has suggested Shoaib Malik will captain the side in the 2019 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.
“I think for now it’s still Shoaib. We would look to use his experience. He was really good for us last year. The first five games he played he was here and we are still looking for that calm head on the field,” Botha responded when asked about the captaincy of the side.
Malik is one of the most experienced campaigners, featuring in 44 matches in the CPL scoring 1390 runs in addition to his 10 wickets from his off-break bowling.
Botha posited that along with Malik, experience and seniority are needed on the field which will come with the addition of Chris Green, who captained last season and Ben Laughlin.
“Ben Laughlin is an experienced bowler so we will look to him and Chris Green to keep the guys calm especially in the five or six overs,” Botha explained adding …“it is not always easy to keep the bowlers calm when the ball flies around but between those three senior players, hopefully that is enough to keep the guys going.”
Botha said that he was happy with the team’s performance last year but reckoned that with half the team changed, the newcomers could bring that what was missing last year and hopefully, see them over the line.
“Last year I think we were pretty happy with our campaign, obviously to end second and to get into that final game was nice. Obviously not the end we would have liked to finish second but we still got to take that as a positive. I think for the group or any team the goal is to get into the top four. I think that is going to be our initial aim and from there you’re are two or three games away from winning the tournament,” he said.
He added, “We changed the squad a little bit from last year, probably half the guys from last year and the new half so we got a few new guys in and hopefully they can bring something new to the team.”
Based on the players selected, the former South Africa all-rounder noted that it was a bonus to have three overseas bowlers who can bring their experience when needed.
“Our three internationals are three bowlers which is something nice to have in close games and important games. You want that experience to close those out for you so Ben Laughlin. Chris Green did well last year and Shadab Khan and you know if we could get them to start is going to be crucial and if we get the right amount of runs on the board from the local batsmen and obviously Shoaib we are looking at a really good defensive bowling unit,” Botha stated.
Botha was of the opinion that contrary to popular belief, the batting line up will not depend solely on Shimron Hetmyer as he recalled the vast depth in batting, especially from the younger players.
“Last year was a break out season for Hety [Shimron Hetmyer], I think second most runs and he won some games for us and I would say one of the main reason for us getting into the final. Obviously some expectations coming into this from him with the season for the West Indies but not the amount of runs he would have liked but he has shown glimpses.”
Botha credited the 23-year-old while going on to say,
“but we can’t come into the group and hope Hety gets runs, everyone has to be up for it. Sherfane [Rutherford] is another one, probably played six games but we want him to do more; Brandon King is obviously a new in; Nicholas Pooran is a big in for us he had a good run in the World Cup and playing in Yorkshire so we’ve got some batsmen around Hety so it’s not all on him; Shoaib is there too.”
Of the batting line up, he was confident of every player’s ability, stating:
“We’ve got batting all the way down. Shadab can bat, Keemo Paul, Chris Green, Sherfane as I mentioned but if he [Hetmyer] gets something similar it would be nice.”
In addition to the newcomers, Botha was happy with the inclusion of an analyst this year, indicated that unofficially, the analyst was relaying information but has now officially come on board to work directly with the players and the team, crediting his vast experience from working on the Indian circuit.
The Amazon Warriors have also enlisted the services of local coach, Ryan Hercules in the early stages of their camp. Hercules has been facilitating the team’s training in the absence of assistant coach, Rayon Griffith who is currently with the West Indies team.
Amazon Warriors will begin their campaign at the Providence Stadium on Thursday when they take on St. Lucia Stars before facing St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
