By Akeem Greene
Local-based players of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad on Thursday officially commenced their preparation for this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League, which runs from August 26 to September 15.
Several of the Guyanese players got an extensive workout at the National Stadium, Providence, as they started to fine-tune for the ‘Biggest Party in Sport’ in St. Kitts and Nevis.
News Room Sport was able to witness left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, all-rounders Kevin Sinclair and Romario Shepherd, fast bowler Niall Smith, wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and opener Chandrapaul Hemraj going through their paces, under the guidance of local coach, Ryan Hercules.
Trainer Dr. Jason Pilgrim was also on site.
According to Hercules, the players are building momentum and the main focus of this camp is mental fitness.
“Majority of the players are at a very high level; although [some of them] have not been playing, they have been doing their personal work and few of them have been playing in a T20 League in the United States. We did some work on the pitch today and we are pushing them a bit 80% and we are getting results from them and they are up to the standard so far,” Hercules told the News Room Sport.
As it regards the camp, which will end on Saturday with the players departing on Monday for St. Kitts where their overseas-based signings will join, the main objective is mental fitness.
“The main focus is to prepare the guys for when they go into a game mentally tired. We started this morning very early and we are going for a late session today.”
The coach added, “We are working on the guys to be mentally prepared and go into games where they are tired and they can pull through and win the big games when it calls for you to step up with bat or ball. [It is] finding that extra push or extra mile you can go to win a title.”
With the majority of the Guyanese players being bowlers, Hercules indicated, ‘death-bowling’ is something in focus since that is crucial to winning T20 matches.
“With the big names coming in when they get to the Island, it will be a big plus for the local guys being around the international guys who have been playing cricket for the past months. The spirit is high and when the whole squad gets there, it will be a bit more exciting and enjoying for the players,” Hercules added.
Amazon Warriors will face defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders in the first match on August 26 from 10:00h at Warner Park.
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ul-Haq, Romario Shepherd, Waqar Salamkheil, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Niall Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.
