Red Force set to make up for lost time

THE TT Red Force cricket team plan to engage in a trio of practice matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba from December 16-23.

The Red Force are preparing for the 2021 Regional Super50, which is expected to take place in Antigua in February.

David Furlonge, coach of the TT Red Force, said, “We practise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for now (at the National Cricket Centre, Couva). The intensity will be increasing.

“What we’re looking at, which I got permission for, is from next week, probably to have some practice matches,” he added. “We’re probably getting use of the Brian Lara (Cricket Academy) so we’ll play some practice matches there. I think match practice will help more than coming and spending a half-an-hour in the nets.”

Concerning the proposed matches at Tarouba, Furlonge said, “We’re looking at the 16th, 18th and the 23rd. The 23rd will be our last day of practise before Christmas and then we’ll start back on the 28th.”

On November 8, the Prime Minister announced that local sporting teams, preparing for international tournaments, will be allowed to resume full training.

Local cricket has been on hold since March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Furlonge is eager to see the Red Force players make up for lost time.

“It’s tough for them,” said the Red Force coach. “It’s an environment where they were indoors all the time (due to) the weather. We got a couple opportunities outdoors and they enjoyed it.

“We’re now looking to probably start some practice matches, hopefully by next week, in preparation for the Super50,” Furlonge continued. “Hopefully the (TT Cricket) Board gets permission to host (a) 50-over tournament in January, that would further help develop the players.”

Furlonge has been at the helm for nearly two weeks, and he commented, “It’s been going good thus far. The players are working hard, everybody’s committed and doing the necessary work that they have to do.”

He added, “When you get this type of position, you only have one expectation, to win tournaments. I’m accustomed to that and I’ll try to achieve what is expected.”

Furlonge was high in praise of the work done by coaches Kelvin and David Williams, with the players, during the covid19 lockdown period.

“The players are close to full fitness,” he said. “Both Kelvin and David did fantastic work with them.”

He continued, “(Kelvin and David) are assisting me, but Kelvin is (also) involved with the (TT women’s) team. In terms of the practice sessions, three of us work together. I might conduct the net sessions while both of them do fielding drills, or vice-versa.”

Furlonge was asked if the players’ commitments have wavered during this Christmas period.

“I haven’t seen anybody’s commitments wavered since I’m here. The fellas have come out to practise. I’m not even talking about the younger players but the senior players also.

“Everybody has been committed to the work they have done. We had a meeting (on Tuesday) morning where we’ll increase practise from (Wednesday). That’s an agreement with the players, no complaints there.”

TT Red Force wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has been drafted into the West Indies Test team in New Zealand as a replacement for Shane Dowrich.

Furlonge has played an integral role in Da Silva’s development, having worked with him for many years at Queen’s Park.

Furlonge said, “You look at it from a parent’s point of view, a parent seeing his child achieve something that they’ve worked for a long time for. I hope that he does well.”