Dillon joins Red Force coaching staff

HELPING HAND: Former West Indies pacer and new Red Force assistant coach Mervyn Dillon, left, observes a training session alongside head coach Kelvin Williams, right, at the National Cricket Centre, Couva, yesterday. PHOTO BY VASHTI SINGH
HELPING HAND: Former West Indies pacer and new Red Force assistant coach Mervyn Dillon, left, observes a training session alongside head coach Kelvin Williams, right, at the National Cricket Centre, Couva, yesterday. PHOTO BY VASHTI SINGH

MERVYN DILLON, ex-TT and West Indies fast bowler, will be working with the TT Red Force team as an assistant to coach Kelvin Williams.

The 44-year-old Dillon was involved in the team’s training session yesterday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, ahead of today’s West Indies Four-Day Championship fifth-round match against the Barbados Pride.

The Red Force-Pride game will be a day/night affair at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, starting at 2 pm each day.

Dillon, the veteran of 38 Tests and 108 One Day Internationals (taking 131 and 130 wickets respectively) said his coaching role has not been made official, but he has volunteered to help the struggling Red Force team.

“My actual appointment has not been finalised,” said Dillon yesterday. “We are still talking and looking at different situations. I volunteered to start until some things are to my liking or (when) I’m comfortable. But it’s my country and I’m always happy to represent.”

Dillon said he had a discussion with TT Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath earlier this month about possibly joining the coaching staff. “I suppose that’s where it actually started,” said Dillon.

The Red Force ended a six-game losing streak at the First-Class level when they defeated fellow strugglers Jamaica Scorpions by 157 runs last weekend at Sabina Park, Kingston.

At the moment, Dillon’s focus is directed towards the growth of the Red Force players.

“Most people talk about winning,” he said. “To me, it’s to see my players grow. Once I take care of that, the result would take care of itself.”

Asked if he is looking forward to many years with the TT Red Force team, Dillon said, “That would be great, but I played this game long enough to understand how unpredictable it can be.

“Hopefully I can help the next generation. We have a lot of talent and it’s just about managing that talent.”

About his new role as assistant coach, Dillon said, “I suppose it’s no different to when I was representing my country. It’s something I actually looked forward to. It’s a couple of days since I actually started.

“(Williams) has done pretty well over the years, so I look forward to learning from him. It’s a challenge and I’m always up for a challenge.”

Dillon, who represented the West Indies from 1997-2005, was recently announced head coach of local club El Socorro Youth Movement.

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