Cayman’s best cricketers are improving their fitness to levels they probably didn’t know they can attain.
They’re getting themselves in the best shape possible to impress the selectors for the Stanford 20/20 pro league.
Cayman play St Lucia in January at the tournament in Antigua and a team of 16 will be selected soon. The first trials took place last week but rain prevented legendary West Indies fast bowlers Reverend Wesley Hall, Joel Garner and Courtney Walsh from picking the team from a squad of 32.
One of the likeliest candidates is police officer Ryan Bovell. Captain of Police, the island’s premier side and national team skipper, he should have no worries about getting in the Stanford 20/20 side. But that’s not enough for the ambitious 33-year-old who is having one of his best ever seasons.
He intends to turn full-time pro and even harbours ambitions of playing for the West Indies. Tall order, but Bovell has the drive and discipline to do it. Not content to merely be fit – he gives himself 8 out of 10 at present – he has enlisted the help of friend David Ross, a track and field coach he’s known since their days in Barbados together.
‘At the trials I had a pretty good work out,’ said Bovell. ‘It’s unfortunate that the weather had a part to play but overall I felt it was a good weekend for us. Guys who came out did well. Personally, I felt I did well with all aspects of my game – batting, bowling and fielding.
‘The legends didn’t give me any specific advice, they were just going round giving tips to different players. Coach Jawakie (Evans Jones, Antigua’s fitness trainer) did a good job in that he showed us at what physical level we have to get to.
‘Even though I feel pretty good I’m working on a plan with David so that by the tournament in January I’ll be in top shape. We’re working on the anaerobic side which is physical exercise with minimal recovery. My weight is fine but I need to improve my flexibility.’
Bovell had to miss the inaugural Stanford 20/20 last year as he was overseas working, so he is relishing this one even more than most. ‘It’s every cricketer’s ambition to get on the international stage. Unfortunately, last year I couldn’t attend but that was the Lord’s wish.’
Bovell was at the Smith Road Oval watching a Cayman Masters (over 40s) game against South Florida Alliance. How the Masters could have done with his help!
Florida hit 192-9 in 40 overs but Masters were never competitive, hitting a meagre 38 in 24 excruciating overs. No one got into double figures with Gary Tullock top scoring with nine.
At least the Cayman Under-25 Select the previous day beat South Florida Alliance. Ricardo Roach top scored with 47 as they reached 161-9 with Darren Cato and Alessandro Morris both hitting 17. Top Cayman bowlers were Alistair Ifill with 3-18 and Kevin Bazil with 3-32 both from eight overs. Florida could only manage 101. All rounder Ifill is best known as a batsman. He was spraying his shots around at the trials in front of the legends.
Another Stanford 20/20 hopeful is Deno McInnis. The 24-year-old Jamaican is captain of Paramount. He got the last wicket and ran a batsman out against Florida.
McInnis said: ‘This match was very good preparation for the Stanford team. Florida really came to win against us youngsters and when we made 161 they thought it was too low for us to win but we proved them wrong.
‘This match has boosted my confidence for Stanford. I had a good game and anything you do now counts for the selectors. I desperately want to be a pro. Who wouldn’t?
‘I used to work in a hotel when I came here but now I have my own car washing business and a couple of buses. If I get selected I have brothers here who can mind them for me.
‘I’m working very hard towards getting in the side. The 20/20 is a different level. Very exciting because it’s a faster motion of the game. When you get to a certain level, coaches can’t really teach you any more. You have to rise and fall by your own ability, that’s what I’m looking forward to.’
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