Extended preparation gives Harpy Eagles room for ‘intense’ conditioning – Coach Hercules

Defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles are set to benefit from a significant shift in the West Indies domestic calendar, with the Regional Four-Day Championship pushed back to a mid-April start.

In recent seasons, the tournament has traditionally commenced in late January, but the revised schedule has handed head coach Ryan Hercules a rare window for an extended preparation phase.

The Eagles are currently immersed in the conditioning and fitness block of their pre-season.

Hercules, who has been vocal about the correlation between high fitness standards and on-field results, indicated that the additional time allows for a more granular approach to player development.

“Conditioning and fitness have been something that I have been preaching for some time, as I believe it is important,” Hercules told News Room Sport on Friday.

“We will assess the guys to see where they are at before the detailed plan for batters and bowlers is outlined.”

The evaluation process begins in earnest next week, with two rounds of fitness testing scheduled at the National Track and Field Facility on the West Coast of Demerara.

The results of these tests will dictate the intensity of the “on-field” tactical sessions, which are slated to begin at the end of January.

News Room Sport understands that the players have been notified that the pass mark on the yo-yo test has moved from 40 to 50.

“There is a lot of time to get the guys prepared,” he noted, emphasising that the extended lead-in will be used to ramp up the intensity of match-simulation drills.

In a boost for the Eagles’ top order, Raymond Perez is reportedly progressing well in his recovery from a dislocated shoulder sustained during the Super50 Cup last November in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Head Coach noted that some other players have niggles, but the extended period will ensure a “fully fit team” when the Championship commences, as players are currently on a rehab programme led by physiotherapist Angelica Holder.

While Cricket West Indies (CWI) is yet to release the official itinerary, it is understood that the entire Four-Day Championship will likely be staged in Antigua and Barbuda.

The move to a single-hub format is believed to be a measure by CWI to manage financial constraints.