Leewards sticking to the basics

NO BRAVADO, no big talk, no lofty predictions. The Leeward Islands will simply be looking to play good, basic cricket in their pursuit of the winner’s trophy at the West Indies Cricket Board’s Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament. This is the word from experienced all-rounder Omari Banks as his side prepared for the showpiece event to be played in Barbados and Trinidad from July 22 to 31. Banks has been elevated to the role of vice-captain and he spoke of the side’s unity, camaraderie and belief in each other as they worked hard in a six-day camp at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua. “We have a good team and we will be backing ourselves to do well. We will be playing for each other. “Most of the guys have been playing together for a while now, so we know and understand each other,” Banks said.Confident“Maybe you won’t get as much bravado from us as you would from other teams, but inside our hearts we are confident we can go in and give a really good show.“We have a mixture of good young players and some players who have been around for a while and who have made good contributions to Leeward Islands cricket over the years.” The well-built six-footer added: “We put our stuff down to our performances on the field. Twenty20 cricket is the kind of game that can change very, very quickly and we are fully aware of that. “We won’t be worried about a lot of the big talk coming from some of the other teams. “We are going to go out and play our style of cricket and look to create momentum and capitalise on our opportunities.” The Leewards will be led by hard-hitting all-rounder Wilden Cornwall. Former captain Runako Morton, left-hander Shane Jeffers, and Tonito Willett will be the main batsmen. The bowling is led by pacers Gavin Tonge and Lionel Baker; while leg-spinner Anthony Martin is expected to perform well.ExperiencedThey will play in Zone A alongside Canada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Their opening match is against the Jamaicans on July 22 at 8 p.m. at Kensington Oval. Banks, who played ten Tests and five One-Day Internationals, is an experienced Twenty20 campaigner, having spent several seasons with Somerset in the English County Championship.There is a huge incentive to win the Caribbean Twenty20, with the leading Caribbean teams going on to represent the region at the Airtel Champions League in South Africa in September. Last year Banks was a member of the Somerset side which played at the inaugural Champions League in India.“Playing county cricket in England gave me a very good idea how to approach the game . . . what is expected, what is most important and how to apply that experience,” said Banks who celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday.“Last year at the Champions League the atmosphere was amazing and it was a thrill to play against some of the biggest names in world cricket. There is a lot to be gained from doing well in the Caribbean T20.Champions League“We have three preliminary matches, then the semi-finals and the finals. That is a total of 40 overs per match. “So, when you look at it, we have to play 200 overs of good, top-quality cricket and we can make it to the Champions League. A trip to the Champions League with the Leeward Islands side would be superb for all of us.”