Former West Indies legendary opening batsman Desmond Haynes, 64, has joined the chorus of calls for Imran Jan to be made head coach of the T&T Red Force cricket team.
Jan, a former T&T opening batsman, has thrown his hat into the ring as far as getting the position of head coach of the team as current coach Mervyn Dillon's contract ends on April 30.
The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) has decided to advertise for the position of the head coach and will close applications also on April 30. So far in addition to Jan, Dillon has reapplied for his post and former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree has also shown an interest in the position.
Dillon guided the Red Force to the second position in the shortened West Indies Championships (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), its best finish since 2014. The TTCB has indicated that it mentioned to Dillon back in November that they were going to advertise the position. The former West Indies fast bowler said he was not aware that the board was going to advertise the position as he did not receive any letter back in November. He said that all he was a letter signed by board secretary Surujdath Mahabir back in September confirming his position as coach for the 2019/2020 season.
Badree, on the other hand, was given the post of head coach of the Windwards Volcanoes last season but could not get the time off from the Ministry of Education where he works as a Curriculum Officer. If he gets the nod as a national coach it will make it easier for him as he can be seconded to the post.
Meanwhile, Haynes, a former right-hand opening batsman, who paired with Gordon Greenidge that dominated all bowling attacks around the world in the 1980s and early 1990s, follows the call of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) coach Brendan McCullum who publicly endorsed Jan a week ago.
Haynes, who was also a useful right-arm leg-break bowler said: "Imran is very good with the players. He is a people person and this to me is a big asset when you coach a team. Knowing him and knowing his knowledge of the game, I believe he will do a fantastic job. I am here on lockdown and I hope that when it is all over he gets the position as head coach."
Jan is also TKR's assistant coach and is currently the head coach at Queen's Park Cricket Club.