Emrit opens new chapter with national coaching duties

By Avenash Ramzan

Experienced Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit has landed a new role that could potentially channel the pathway to a rewarding life post-retirement.

The 38-year-old, who has been playing senior regional cricket since 2003, recently represented St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, playing his part in helping the team to a spot in the Hero CPL 2019 Playoff.

At the conclusion of that tournament news broke of Emrit’s appointment as Head Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national Under-17 team to play in Cricket West Indies’ Regional Under-17 championship next March.

Emrit, who has represented West Indies in two ODIs and four T20Is spread across 11 years, previously served as Manager of the national Under-17 side. A veteran of 84 First-Class games, 72 List A matches and 131 domestic T20s, Emrit is a certified Level Two coach.

Avenash Ramzan (AR): You’re coming towards the tailend of your career now; how does it feel to be afforded an opportunity to still contribute to the game, in a different capacity?

Rayad Emrit (RE): Firstly, I am very much active and hoping to play a lot longer. I have no intention of retiring any time soon as long as I stay fit. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to be the coach of the T&T U-17 team. I’ve always wanted to give back to cricket in some form so I am happy I can start at this level and gradually move up the ranks when I’m retired from playing.

AR: What are some of the things the game has taught you that you intend to transfer to these youngsters?

RE: The game has taught me a lot, but what I remind myself every day is to stay humble and remember that it’s easy to fall when you get to the top and harder to get back up when you fall, so make sure that you do the simple things right and always be consistent.

AR: While this is a developmental stage, what do you think is key to getting these youngsters to perform to their optimum?

RE: I think trying to get them to do the basics right is always important; if they can get that covered at an early age then they will be on the right track. I also believe that allowing them the chance to express themselves is also important at this age.

AR: Finally, apart from obviously winning the Regional U-17 tournament, what are some of the other things you hope to achieve during this competition?

RE: I really hope that I can at least groom some of the best cricketers so that the U-19 and the senior teams would be stronger in the coming years so that not just Trinidad cricket will improve, but also West Indies cricket.

Rayad Emrit’s career in numbers: https://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/player/51784.html