English counties are again targeting Barbados for pre-season cricket training.
Following on the heels of visits to the island by a few counties in recent years, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire have announced they would be returning to Barbados next year.
Derbyshire and Northamptonshire are expected to join at least two other English counties and two local teams in a Twenty20 tournament at Kensington Oval in March.
It is the fourth successive year Derbyshire will be touring Barbados and coach Karl Kritten credited their trip last year to helping them win the English Division 2 county championship and earn promotion next season.
“Barbados is a tried and tested pre-season venue for several counties and it provides ideal preparation ahead of a challenging domestic campaign,” Kritten said.
“To be guaranteed good weather and consequently time on the field is extremely important for our players at this critical time of year.
“We’ve certainly felt the benefit from previous visits and it’s telling that the 2012 trophy winners – Hampshire, Warwickshire and Derbyshire – all toured Barbados during pre-season, as did Yorkshire who won promotion from Division 2 and reached Friends Life T20 finals day.”
English counties made it a habit of touring Barbados in the 1980s but several of them opted for other destinations over the past decade.
A marketing thrust by the Barbados Tourism Authority, however, has led to some counties returning to these shores.
Derbyshire are looking forward to next year’s visit following their win in a warm-up tournament last time.
Kritten said: “It’s an intense itinerary and one that gives us the best possible chance of hitting the ground running for first division cricket in 2013, as well as giving our supporters some meaningful cricket to follow as the season approaches.”
“There was plenty of interest from the public back home last year, none more so than when we won a last ball thriller in the Twenty20 Plate Final versus Hampshire. I’m sure there’ll be more exciting cricket and more excitement to come in 2013.”
Northamptonshire’s trip has been made possible not only through funding by the club, but the players have contributed themselves and the Northants Supporters Club has donated money to ensure the trip can go ahead.
“Once again there will be an early start to the season, which means it is crucially important that the lads can get as much cricket as possible before,” said head coach David Ripley.
“With uncertain weather conditions in March, sometimes outdoor practice can be limited if staying in England. We all saw how the team hit the ground running following the last pre-season tour to South Africa in 2011.
“I also think it is forward thinking of the club to allow us this opportunity, which will stand us in good stead leading into the 2013 season.” (HG)