BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Legendary West Indies opener Desmond Haynes believes effective planning could prove the difference for Barbados Tridents in the defence of their Caribbean Premier League title later this month.

The 59-year-old, who serves as the Tridents’ ambassador, said with all six teams appearing evenly matched for the June 20 to July 26 campaign, it would be important for his side to approach the tournament well-prepared.

“With the Tridents, we also have a think-tank — as we call it — where we have a group of senior players who will discuss the opposition, we will discuss the way that we think the plans should work and we would then take it to the team to see if they would buy into those plans,” Haynes said.

“Sometimes the team adds to the plans or sometimes they say ‘let’s go back to what we were doing all along’. The way we go about it is that we try to let everyone in the team know our plans so everyone is aware of how we set out to go about the game.”

Haynes, who played 116 Tests and 238 One-Day Internationals during an illustrious career, said his vast experience would come into play.

“I can assess players. I can see some of the strength and weaknesses of the opposition. I can also discuss some of the strength and weaknesses of our own players because it’s important for you to know what the opposition is thinking, what lines they are going to bowl and what plans they want to use against you,” he explained.

“It’s like going into a war: it’s very important to plan and know exactly what to expect from the opposition so that when they come you will be well-prepared.”

Tridents won the 2014 CPL title when they beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in a rain-affected final at Warner Park in St Kitts last year.

Ironically, they will launch the defence of their title against Amazon Warriors on June 20 under lights at Kensington Oval.

Haynes, who gives support to Tridents head coach Robin Singh, said it was important to use the technology available in preparing team plans.

“With the technology that is available to us now, as coaches it is very important for us to use it so that we could then put our plans in place and be very competitive with the rest of the sides.”

The CPL will see Tridents clashing with Amazon Warriors, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Zouks and new franchise St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 33 matches, for a place in the semi-finals, scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago on July 23 and 25.

The final is set for July 26.