Roberts hoping for improved Zouks in CPL
The St Lucia Zouks will be looking to have an improved showing in this season’s Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after a disappointing 2013 season.
Zouks mentor and West Indies legend, Sir Andy Roberts, spoke exclusively to www.cplt20.com about his plans to make this a successful season for the Zouks.
“I feel the same way I felt last year, and that is that we have genuine match winners but there is room for improvement from last year’s disappointing season,” said Roberts.
Having played in three Cricket World Cups and won two, Roberts, who was the first Antiguan-born player to represent the West Indies in Test cricket, noted that his role for CPL 2014 would be to focus on the bowlers.
“We have to improve 100 per cent, and I will play more of a role with the bowlers this season to help them with their pace and variation. In cricket, bowlers win matches, so I hope to bring the experience I had playing with the West Indies in three World Cups to the Zouks,” he said.
And having taken 202 Test wickets, Roberts is a great man for the job.
“Last season, we conceded too many runs in the last five overs, sometimes up to 80 runs, which is unacceptable. So this year, we need to avoid those lapses in concentration. Kevin Pietersen will be an important asset; as will Sohail Tanvir from Pakistan, as his height will give batsmen issues. Indeed Brad Hodge’s experience will guide the younger players in the squad.”
One player that Sir Andy Roberts is happy to have secured during the draft is Johnson Charles.
“We are happy have him back home in St Lucia. Last season, an issue we had was lack of depth in wicketkeeping, so with Charles assisting Fletcher, they can also open the batting. In addition of course, we have Darren Sammy down the order who is one of the best finishers in world cricket, so if we are setting or chasing a total, we are confident he can do the job.”
Roberts also sent a strong message to the team he will face on July 12, saying: “On paper, the Tallawahs are a strong team, however cricket is played on the day and not on paper, so I back our players to give us a good start in Grenada. Our aim is to finish number one in the league table and automatically get to the final. We will work hard and play to the best of our ability.”
CPL 2014 begins on July 11 when the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Antigua Hawksbills.
