Logie aiming for next level

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Former West Indies batsman and coach, Trinidadian Augustine 'Gus' Logie, says he is looking forward to help take Jamaica's cricket to a next level.

Speaking shortly after his arrival at the Norman Manley Inter-national Airport yesterday, a day before he officially takes over the reins of the team from Junior Bennett, Logie said he was aware of the level that Jamaica's cricket is at at the moment, and working together with local players and coaches he believes he has what it takes to offer a greater level of consistency.

"I bring everything that I am now, and was as an international cricketer. My perseverance, commitment, strong work ethic, being respectful, and showing courage," said Logie, who has in the past coached West Indies teams to varying degrees of success at the Under-15, Under-19, 'A' Team, and Senior levels.

"I would also like to impart whatever knowledge I have gained from coaching at different levels, from youth to the international cricket, and hope that at the end of the day everyone involved will benefit," he added.

Logie, who guided the West Indies to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in 2004, and the West Indies Under-15 team to championship honours at the ICC Calcutter Youth World Cup in 2000, replaces Bennett, as part of a general restructuring that is currently taking place at the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

The restructuring, according to JCA president Paul Campbell is a part of the association's thrust to revamp the sport locally and to make it a more modern sporting entity, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for key stakeholders. As part of this restructuring the JCA Technical Committee, headed by former Jamaica and West Indies captain James Adams, made a recommendation for the replacement of Bennett and long-serving physical trainer, David Bernard Sr.

Both were said to be fairly ineffective in planning and delivering a national programme, geared at attaining and maintaining standards to a very high level.

Yet to taste success

This, despite Bennett's successes at the regional four-day level, in which he has guided Jamaica to three titles in the four years that he has been in charge.

Bennett's record in regional 50 Overs cricket stands at one title in four seasons, while in lucrative Twenty20 tournaments he is yet to taste success, despite three attempts.

Logie and Williams will operate under a four-month contract, which will see them overseeing the country's participation in the second annual Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, to be held jointly by Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda in January, and the annual regional four-day tournament, which is scheduled to begin in February.

Bennett and Bernard Sr are, however, expected to stay on as assistants to Logie and Williams.

"I always had good memories of Jamaica, and the hope is that it continues over the next couple of months," explained Logie.

"I am looking forward to working with the talents that are available here, as we all want to see the team succeed and for each player to develop as a cricketer and as a person."