Abali Hoilett will be at the helm when Cayman Islands national senior team participates in the International Cricket Council World Cricket League Division 5 tournament in Singapore next month.
The touring squad and support staff who were selected over the weekend leave for Singapore on 14 February and return on 29 February. The tournament runs from 18-25 February. Vice-captain is Kevin Bazil. Cayman Islands will be up against host country Singapore, Bahrain, Guernsey, Malaysia and Argentina. The squad is a blend of youth and experience. Leading the batsmen are veterans Pearson Best and Steve Gordon while the bowling will rest on the shoulders of returning former captain Ryan Bovell. Youngster Zachary McLaughlin is making his first ICC tournament.
The players have been training for the past four months with the emphasis on physical fitness. Practice matches continue on Saturdays and Sundays at Smith Road Oval.
Cayman were relegated from Division 4 two years ago and technical director Theo Cuffy wants to see them bounce back. “Abali is the captain because we have a long-term plan to use young Caymanians as leaders. He is already captain of his club side, Police, that included Pearson Best and Ryan Bovell.
“Zachary went to the T20 tournament in Fort Lauderdale last year and this is his first ICC tour. He is a young, talented opening batsman but Ramon Sealy and Ainsley Hall, who has just returned to the side, are ahead of him.
“Pearson and Steve Gordon are our two most experienced batsmen. We need them in the side to help guide the youngsters who need more senior players to guide them.
“I’m looking for top two finish. That is what we want which would mean promotion back to Division 4. We’ve strived very hard in our preparations, focusing on physical fitness. There were a number of circumstances before preventing us from preparing thoroughly but this time we have made the necessary sacrifices.”
Cuffy is pleased that Andy Pick, the High Performance Officer for ICC Americas, visited in November spending four days here. He is visiting for four days from 6 February to put Cayman through their paces again. “Andy will be fine tuning the squad. His other team is Argentina and he is working towards both teams getting promoted. He is really pleased with how we’ve approached training.”
National Team and Support Staff
1. Abali Hoilett (capt)
2. Kevin Bazil (vice-capt)
3. Pearson Best
4. Ryan Bovell
5. Marlon Bryan
6. Kervin Ebanks
7. Steve Gordon
8. Ainsley Hall
9. Alistair Ifill
10. Zachary McLaughlin
11. Ramon Sealy
12. Troy Taylor
13. Conroy Wright
14. Omar Willis
Stephen Best – Manager
Franklin Hinds – Asst Coach
Theo Cuffy – Coach
Related Videos
