Keen camp rivalry for tour spots PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CANA: THE competition for spots on the 16-member squad to Zimbabwe is positively impacting on a "lively" West Indies pre-tour camp. The two-week camp, which completed its third day yesterday, has 22 players engaged - for the first week - in physical conditioning under the guidance of team sports therapist Ronald Rogers, and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) coaching official Reggie Scarlett. "They (the players) came here knowing fully well that six people would not be going on to Zimbabwe and what I think it has done is increase the competition between them," Scarlett said. Scarlett, a former Test off-spinner, said while there is rivalry for a tour spot, the team unity is strong. "It's a very friendly environment and they're working together, people will be disappointed but not envious. They've approached it knowing that it's 16 people going, 16 fit people I hasten to add," Scarlett said. The camp is awaiting an announcement from the WICB regarding the position of team manager, after Ricky Skerritt was told last weekend his three-year contract was being terminated. Skerritt, unhappy over the WICB's move to replace him, has referred the termination notice to his lawyers. As the squad assembled on Sunday, there was uncertainty and controversy over the issue, but Scarlett believes the participants have - in spite of the circumstances - remained focussed on their preparations. "We have a job to do, to get the people fit, and the players have realised that the future is in their hands and everybody is working 100 per cent, it's going very well," Scarlett said. Team coach Roger Harper, after a scouting mission to Zimbabwe, is back in the Caribbean and was scheduled to join the camp yesterday to bolster the management unit. "We will have two more hands on deck, right now it's just Ronald Rogers and myself," said Scarlett. Weekend press reports had hinted that Harper's job could have been on the line after consecutive series losses to England, Australia and South Africa, but Scarlett happily welcomes the Guyanese on board.
|
