DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has said that his main goal in the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan will be identifying and fine-tuning player roles.
The regional team touched down in Dubai ahead of the three-match series, which bowls off here on Monday, with the exception of Johnson Charles, who is set to arrive today.
Speaking in an interview prior to the team’s first training session, Sammy said while the objective was always to win, the management team was focusing on ensuring each player understood his role ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup.
“I think the key for us is role execution, especially focusing on the guys who will be in the World Cup squad and making sure they fine-tune their roles. We’ve been trying to do that over the last two years, and I think some of the players have grabbed on to their roles, but some still probably need to fine-tune that, so that’s what these games bring.
“Obviously the objective is to win, but for me and the group it’s to more to solidify the roles heading into the World Cup,” Sammy said.
With several key players missing from the 16-member squad, Sammy said it also presented the perfect opportunity for new players to stake a claim for World Cup selection.
He said despite the absences, he hoped the team would build some momentum as they seek to win an unprecedented third T20 World Cup.
“The West Indies team is here in Dubai in preparation for the World Cup. However, as you may know we’ve not named our World Cup squad yet, but I think it’s a great opportunity for some of the young players that we have here and the fringe players to start building for the future and also those that are here that will be in the World Cup squad, it gives them good preparation, especially against Afghanistan, a very strong team, in conditions similar to India.
“So I’m looking forward to start the year and hopefully gather some momentum, even though all of our players are not on deck,” Sammy said.
