SPORTS
Come on Beckles
CRICKET COACHES are unsure what the standard will be in the 2023 Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL). When this year’s 50th tournament ends on January 17, it will be the first time schools cricket will be played in almost three years due to the Covid19 pandemic.
In March 2020, school cricket was suspended due to the pandemic just days after Hindu Boys Shiva College won the SSCL 50-over title. The exciting T20 Intercol competition, which usually attracts hundreds of supporters, was not held that year.
In 2022, the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) restarted and now school cricketers will have their chance to compete.
Hillview College has won numerous cricket titles over the past decade and Fatima College has also won silverware.
Hillview coach Richard Kelly is anticipating a challenging season for his team.
“For me it will be extremely difficult,” he said. “Having not been involved in cricket (for so long) … a lot of the players would have left school by now and the youngsters coming in they are green at that level. of cricket and then the way it was the weather, it has humbled the preparation. I know it will be a challenge.”
The veteran Hillview coach still thinks his players can be competitive. “I think they should be able to put on a good performance. Application is the key.”
Hillview will be a new-look outfit as there are no members from the 2020 unit.
Kelly is delighted that cricketers can return to the field of play. “I am happy with this. I am a bit concerned with the new increase in Covid cases (in China). I hope the Ministry of Sports and (Ministry of) Education don’t decide to ban cricket again because of this.”
In the 2022 SSFL season, Fatima won multiple titles in various age groups including the Coca Cola Intercol crown on December 7 with a 1-0 win over St Benedict’s College.
Paty hopes the success of the football program rubs off on his players. “We hope it’s an incentive for the youth to emulate what the football (program) did,” Paty said.
Speaking about the uncertainty of the SSCL standard, Paty said: “We’re looking to give a good account of ourselves but we’re really in the dark about the quality of the other teams. You really don’t know which players at which schools. It’s like going abroad to a tournament when you have no idea what quality the other teams have.”
Paty said captain Joshua Davis and Zachary Siewah are the surviving members from the 2020 squad. Davis and Siewah are TT U-19 players.
Paty said some of his players lack match experience and time will tell if they are ready. “They’re untested too, so you don’t even know your players how they’re going to do in a game. You’re seeing guys training, but you’re not really sure.”
Paty is happy for the cricketers that they can play again after a long break. He said: “Definitely (happy). Even the children are excited. They haven’t lost their love for the sport, the kids are excited to play (and) the enthusiasm is there. If anything, they might have even more interest because the kids were so hungry for sports.”
Naparima College, Carapichaima East Secondary and defending 50-over champions Shiva Boys are among those also vying for the title.
