Some of the nation’s top cricketers are wrapping up an eight-day batting camp at Mindoo Phillip Park and Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. They have been working on their technique, mental approach and tactics with British high-performance coach Bob Carter.
Carter, who spent over 20 years coaching in New Zealand, worked closely with West Indies top-order batter Ackeem Auguste, Windward Islands captain Kimani Melius and former Saint Lucia Kings all-rounder Shadrack Descarte.
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association and the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre (SLCHPC) brought in the batting consultant. SLCHPC chairman and former first-class cricketer Craig Emmanuel explained the thinking behind the move.
“Primarily, the beneficiaries of this camp are the HPC attendees, both boys and girls, and of course, a few of the young men on senior trials currently, and whoever else may seek to benefit from the opportunity,” he said.
“I’ve realised that the mindset of some of the boys has changed. We have had some guys who have taken on the mantra from Bob in terms of having a mindset of attacking first and defending after.”
While referencing Bazball, the attacking style of batting popularised by the England team in recent years, Emmanuel nonetheless noted that “one of the biggest assets of a professional cricketer is that of being adaptable and being flexible in terms of technique and tactics, and Bob has pretty much come in here and tried to drive that into our boys”.
Emmanuel, SLCHPC head coach John Eugene, and Carter all praised the cricketers and coaches who took part in the camp.
“I personally believe that there are some real talented players here,” Carter said. “But one or two little things just need to be tweaked, and then they’re ready to go to move forward in their careers.
“The HPC is very impressive. It is an excellent pathway to Saint Lucian first-class cricket and above to the Windward Islands. And hopefully then, another step.
“What I’ve witnessed here is an excellent process, a holistic programme. And they cover all sides of it, whether it’s technical, tactical, physical, mental, or well-being. It’s been a very impressive programme.”
Carter spoke about the sessions with local coaches, which built on a previous clinic with West Indies Academy head coach Ramesh Subasinghe and a Cricket West Indies Foundation Coaching Course held earlier this year. He said the participants were enthusiastic and gave excellent feedback.
“We were supposed to have about an hour, and with all the questions that were asked, we were up to about two and a quarter hours at one stage,” admitted Carter. “And it really made me think as well, some of the questions.
“They were talking to me about things that they’ve done as well. So it was a two-way thing, and I was grateful to have that opportunity to talk to coaches outside of New Zealand, where I’ve coached for many years, and now England as well. So to come here and see the programme, and the [number] of coaches that there were, I think it augurs well for Saint Lucian cricket,” he added.
