Simmons: TKR to correct CPL 2022 mistakes

NEW head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) Phil Simmons says the pain of finishing last in the 2022 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is still hurting the players and will serve as motivation for the 2023 tournament.

The 2023 Republic Bank CPL T20 tournament will be played from August 16-September 24. TKR will play four matches in Trinidad from September 5-10, with matches at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

TKR had a forgettable 2022 campaign, finishing last for the first time since the tournament began in 2013. The TT franchise ended the tournament with three wins, six losses and one no-result.

TKR’s batting was dismal last year, as no batsman finished among the top-ten run-scorers for the season. Wicket-keeper Tim Seifert was TKR’s best batsman, finishing 14th on the charts with 221 runs at an average of 24.55.

Speaking to Newsday during a training session at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday, Simmons said, “The squad is a good squad. Admittedly, a couple of the players we may lose because of their commitments to their country, but in general the squad is a good squad, a balanced squad.”

Reflecting on TKR’s performance in 2022, Simmons said, “We came last last year, so that is as much an inspiration as anything for the team to do well.”

TKR are the most decorated franchise in the history of the CPL, winning four titles.

“The thing about it is, anybody who is not accustomed being last and you get there, you know that something is wrong. So we are trying to correct all the things that we did not do correctly last year.

“It’s hurting, and until we get back to the top it is going to continue hurting. That is the way we are going to come out this year, with that hurt until we change it.”

Simmons is glad to see Dwayne Bravo return to the team after the experienced player spent two years with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

“It is great to have DJ Bravo back in the mix, and to add him to the mix, it is always great, so we are looking forward to the tournament...“It is great to have him in any team...His motivation, his enthusiasm, his knowledge of the game – everything he brings to the team. He is a total team man, so those are characteristics that you want to have in your squad.”

This will be Simmons’s first coaching stint with TKR.

Simmons, born in Arima, said he is excited.

“It is great to be home. Anything to do with Trinidad...the chance came up (to coach TKR) a couple years ago, but it could not go through, so it is good to be here.”

A few of the TKR players have been showing prolific form heading into the CPL.

The left-handed Nicholas Pooran, who returned home last year, cracked 388 runs in the 2023 Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament. at an average of 64.66 in eight matches.

He struck 137 not out in the final to lead Mumbai Indians New York to the title. He is also showing prolific form for West Indies in the T20 series against India being played now.

Andre Russell has also been showing form. hitting 206 runs in five matches in MLC, which included two half-centuries.

But both batsmen struggled badly in the 2022 CPL and will be hoping to rebound. Pooran averaged a paltry 12 runs and Russell averaged 17.

Simmons said it will be a team effort, as the team cannot depend on one or two batsmen.

“It is great to have them in this rich vein of form...We are going to make it in a way that everybody knows that they have a function in the team, and if you perform your function, the team will succeed.”

TKR squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Rilee Rossouw, Ali Khan, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Martin Guptill, Jayden Seales, Matheesha Pathirana, Mark Deyal, Chadwick Walton, Terrance Hinds, Kadeem Alleyne, Jaden Carmichael