Former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree has decided to throw his hat in the ring to become head coach of the T&T Red Force team.
The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) has advertised the position of head coach of the franchise with applicants having until April 30 to send in their resumes.
Badree, who became the first West Indian to coach at the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he took the position of spin bowling coach at the Delhi Daredevils last year, was selected as coach of the Windward Islands Volcanoes last year but could not take up the position due to his work commitments as a curriculum officer with the Ministry of Education in T&T.
Should he be successful in attaining the position, he will then get secondment from his post with the Ministry to the national team.
Speaking on his decision, he said: "My greatest asset is understanding the pedagogical concepts of coaching. Having spent close to 20 years in the Education system of T&T and operating at all levels, I am fully aware of the strategies that can be used to transfer skills, knowledge and experiences from one source to another.
"I have seen many former, great players fail miserably at coaching because of their inability to transfer their knowledge and skills. I also understand and have studied the psychology of sports and coaching and know what is required for players to perform at their optimal level.
"My philosophy would be one of creating a quality, interactive and trustworthy environment that would be conducive to players performing their best and committing to the team's cause at all times."
Also applying is current Red Fopce head coach Mervyn Dillon, who is a former West Indies fast bowler. Dillon led the team to a fourth-place finish as the team recorded three wins, one draw and two losses when he took over the team in 2019. At the West Indies Championship this year, his team finished second behind Barbados, when the tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic with two rounds of matches outstanding. It was the Red Force's best finish since 2014 when it again placed second to Barbados. Also under his watch, the Red Force reached the semi-finals of the Regional Super50.
Trinbago Knight Riders' assistant coach and current coach of the powerful Queen's Park Cricket Club, Imran Jan, is also applying for the position. Jan, 41, was a national all-rounder who bowled right-arm off-spin and batted left-handed and has worked with foreign coaches Brendon McCullum, Simon Helmot and Simon Katich, comes in highly recommended.
Also, former successful national Under-19 coach and current chairman of selectors of the TTCB, Anthony Gray, w former West Indies star bowler says that he is thinking about applying for the post but has not made any decision as yet.