Williams: Same mistakes over and over

Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Kelvin Williams, said his batsmen continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly following the team’s defeat to Barbados Pride in round seven of the Digicel Regional Four-Day tournament, yesterday.

The Red Force batsmen started the season positively, but a poor display in both innings saw TT suffer a 207-run loss to the Pride at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. It is the third poor performance from TT at the new facility – two defeats and a draw.

After Barbados posted 316 all out in the first innings, TT responded with a dismal 214 all out. Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin was the only TT batsman to offer significant resistance, scoring a valiant 132 not out. Opener Jeremy Solozano scored a patient 40.

Barbados, in search of victory, went for quick run and declared on 221 for seven to set TT a target of 324. TT did not get close, bundled out for a disappointing 116.

Williams said he is worried by his team’s batting after urging them to step up prior to the match.

“As I mentioned before, the batting was a concern and it is still a concern after this game, because only the captain batted superbly with young Jeremy. It is a concern,” Williams said.

The Pride spinners utilised the rough on the wicket with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican taking nine wickets in the match. Williams said by the second day of the match, the pitch started to deteriorate which benefited the Bajan bowlers.

“They had two goes at it (with their bowlers on the wicket). If you look at it, when we batted there was some rough there and then they came back and batted...but their batters applied themselves better than us.”

The Red Force coach said the toss was crucial, and said his batsmen are not learning from their mistakes. “The toss was very important for us, we lost the toss so therefore we were on the back foot right away because of the condition of the pitch down there. Our batsmen are making the same mistakes over and over again.”

After the Christmas break, Williams is hoping his team will return with some form. “After the break we want to come back and come back strong.

We started the season well, it (Christmas period) will be a refresher, so therefore I hope the guys come back and come back strong.”

Williams said the team will play three 50-over practice matches in the coming weeks in preparation for the Regional Super50 competition which bowls off in January.

Williams called on the young players to step up to the plate. “When given opportunities, you should grab it with both hands, so I am yet to see it. I am expecting more of them when we come back out for the three remaining games we have to play.”