TRINIDAD AND Tobago Red Force coach Augustus “Gus” Logie is impressed by the change of mentality of the team, in the second half of the 2015- 2016 Regional Four Day Championships.
The Red Force registered their second win on the trot, with a nine-wicket spanking of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the National Cricket Centre, Couva on Monday. That victory came on the heels of the eight-wicket triumph away to the Jamaica Scorpions a week ago.
With regards to the win against the Hurricanes, Logie said, “I’m really happy, and I’m happy for everyone involved - the captain, all the players. There are no two ways about it, the players are taking a lot more responsibility for their own doings.
“We have a no-excuse culture creeping in and slowly taking root,” continued Logie. “Players know where they go wrong and where they have to improve. We continue to work with them as best as possible, and it’s nice to see players holding each other accountable for their own performances.
“Congratulations to (captain) Jason Mohammed and all the guys. Imran Khan, he’s one of those guys who initiated this whole thing about holding one another accountable. It’s great to see. They also have incentives for themselves (like) a Player of the Day. And I think that’s a great initiative.” Logie added, “I want to ask them to continue the good work that they started in Jamaica, after been beaten quite badly in Guyana.
We came back strong and showed what true champions are all about. So much potential, so much ability and all we’re hoping for is to put that together and continue to work hard.” The Red Force have a total of three wins from eight games, but they climbed to third on the points standings with their backto- back victories, at the expense of the Scorpions.
Asked how come it took so long for the players to show their true worth, in the Four Day Championships, the former TT captain and West Indies vice-captain admitted, “I have no excuse about that. It’s just some times things take a little bit longer than expected.
“We can only work as much as possible. The players, at the end of the day, are the ones who have to go out there and execute whatever game plans, whatever sessions that (they) have. Everything takes time. This is the second year of this franchise. We haven’t won (the) Four Day (title) for a long time. We continue to do well in the shorter formats.
“We’ve just won two 50-over Championships. These are some of the same youngsters who did it this year, in spite of. And it’s just a continuation of that.
Now that they understand their own game and what needs to be done, I am now trusting that the consistency will take root. That has been our problem, consistency.
It’s about being strong, it’s about being confident, and they’ve shown that in their last two games. All we can ask for is a continuation of that.” The Four Day Championships will go on a break until March 11, and Logie called on the Red Force players to continue their form when they return to the domestic club circuit this weekend.
“They are now playing at a higher level,” he said. “They’ll go back at their clubs and take back what they’ve learnt here, and continue to work at their games. (I) hope they will have some performances over the weekend, and start here afresh on (March) 8.
We’ll have practice on the 8th so I hope they’ll be ready.” He was also high in praise for the ground staff at the Cricket Centre for the pitch which was produced against the Hurricanes.
“I think the ground staff must be commended for a fantastic wicket. I’ve never seen as strip here (with) a bit of grass on it. It held together and the bounce was true, right through the end. A really commendable effort from the ground staff,” Logie ended.