Players development main aim, says Williams

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Leeward Islands Hurricanes head coach Stuart Williams says while reaching the final will be a key objective, the development of players will be of paramount importance when the Regional Super50 bowls off next month.

“The most important thing will be player and team development. The results will take care of themselves,” said Williams, who has replaced former West Indies pacer Winston Benjamin for the November 6 to December 1 tournament.

“I want to see the players move to the next level. For the first time in a long time, we are seeing our players being recognised. Since the 1990s, this has probably been the most players from the Leeward Islands that have been in the West Indies set-up.

“We have some players that the West Indies senior team’s selectors have identified, so while winning is important, it is not all about winning the tournament, but seeing the players move to another level.”

Hurricanes endured a disappointing last campaign, finishing one from bottom in their group and missing out on the semi-finals, as Combined Campuses and Colleges went on to win the title for the first time. More significantly, they have not won the title in a decade – also the last time they reached the final – but Williams expects that to change this year.

“We are in a tough group, but we are looking to get out of the group and qualify for the semi-finals and the final,” said the former West Indies batsman. “That’s our goal. That’s my expectation. That’s important.”

Hurricanes will contest Group A at Warner Park and Conaree here and will play alongside CCC, Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, and invitational side, Canada.

Group B will be staged in Trinidad and comprise last year’s losing finalists, Guyana Jaguars, Windward Islands Volcanoes, West Indies Emerging Players, United States, and hosts Red Force.