Former West Indian legends Desmond Haynes and Andy Roberts are expecting a good showing from the West Indies team in the upcoming Champions Trophy in England.
Both men were at the Hyatt Regency yesterday for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) press conference on player assignment. Roberts said the Indian Premier League (IPL) has shown the way in terms of what benefits can be derived from such a tournament.
"I think a number of stars will come from this tournament for the West Indies team. We have seen over the last four years how many stars India has gotten and this is as a direct result of the IPL.
"This CPL tournament will lead to development as they are investing in the under-23 players and this is good for West Indies cricket. We need to develop at that stage and they are doing just that, which is good."
Turning his attention to the West Indies team about to take part in the Champions Trophy, Roberts said: "Our players would find it difficult in the English conditions early in the summer. It will be difficult for us to win this tournament but we will be there and thereabouts.
"Our bowling needs to click in order for us to win the tournament or make a serious dent in the tournament. Our spinners have complained in the past about gripping the ball in the cold conditions, so they will have a task at hand."
Earlier this week, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson tipped hosts England to win the tournament, but Roberts does not agree with him. "England struggles at tournaments. When they have separate series against a nation, they do well but when they reach tournaments with different teams they struggle. I think South Africa and India can reach really far and even win this tournament."
The last time the West Indies won the Champions Trophy was back in 2004 under Brian Lara. The team recovered from a perilous 138 for eight to clip England's total of 212 in the finals.
Haynes says it will be great to win the tournament for the Caribbean. "Can you imagine what it will do for our cricket to go out there and win this tournament on the heals of winning the T20 World Cup?
"Our players have to realise that 300 balls to face is a lot in cricket. The 50-overs game is a long game and we have to adapt to playing with that in mind. In England, the ball swings about the place, so you can't go out there and play like a millionaire. The ball is not going to come on to the bat. I would advise our players to play the ball as late as possible, in order to get success.
"They have to look at Marlon Samuels who was very successful in England last year. Marlon plays the ball very late, he does not play with his hands in from of his body and he has shown just how to get runs in England.
"Another thing is that players have to learn to respect the new ball. They go out there with the new ball swinging and play big shots. They have to understand that they need to play within their means and take their time and negotiate the new ball. Once our players can adapt quickly they will do well in this tournament. I am not writing them off that this stage. VM
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