Guyana Amazon Warriors lead coach, Rayon Griffith believes that his side will have to produce complete performances as they head into the latter stages of the Caribbean Premier League.
Warriors have played five matches so far and won two, both against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders.
Speaking exclusively to this publication, Griffith reasoned, “At the halfway stage we would have liked to gain at least two more points but at the moment we can’t control that but going forward we will have to try and gain as much points as possible.”
Warriors sits in fourth place on four points. Jamaica Tallawahs, Knights and St. Lucia Kings are also on four points with Warriors’ net run rate only superior to Kings. St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots have distanced themselves from the competition with five wins in as much games to sit comfortably on 10 points.
Griffith pointed out that a more aggressive approach in the field will
be necessary.
“It’s all about bringing the complete package together so if the players can mesh together and we can click at the right time we will make it over,” he declared.
He contended that in order for the Warriors to string together consistent performances, their needs to be improvement in all departments.
“In the other games we will try to improve in all departments.
“I don’t think we played our best cricket as yet and we are still trying to find the right balance in the batting department,” he said.
Shimron Hetmyer has been the pick of the Warriors batsmen with 146 runs so far, including two half centuries but his strike rate of 111 is among the lowest in the top order.
Mohammad Hafeez (137) and Nicholas Pooran (114) are the only other batsmen to tally over 100 runs while Chandrapaul Hemraj has the next best tally of 73.
Former captain, Shoaib Malik has struggled in his four innings totaling only 25 runs. Brandon King, who has been placed in the middle-order, is also searching for form with 37 runs coming from his five innings.
The lead coach continued, “Bowling-wise I think we can be much tighter and limit teams for less runs.
“I think they are getting about 20 runs more than they should and in the field they need to start taking more catches.”
On a positive note, Griffith expressed satisfaction with the performances of some of the bowlers, led by Romario Shepherd, who, according to the head coach has shown good skill at the death. Shepherd has picked up nine wickets from three matches.
The other bowlers that Griffith pointed out that have done well so far are Odean Smith, Hafeez and Imran Tahir.
Warriors will play their sixth match of the competition against bottom-placed, Barbados Royals today at 11.30 hours.
