SPORTS
Jonathan Ramnansingh
Legendary batsman Brian Lara is back in West Indies cricket.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced that former Chestnut captain and world record holder Lara has agreed to assist CWI as a performance mentor – working across all international teams and contributing to the Indies Academy Western.
Lara’s new role will be to support the various coaches in providing players with tactical advice and improving the feel of their game, as well as working closely with CWI’s director of cricket, Jimmy Adams – a former team-mate of Lara – in the strategic planning of the ICC World Cup Tour.
The West Indies Test squad is currently under interim coach Andre Coley, who is serving in that role for the team’s tour of southern Africa, which includes two Test matches against Zimbabwe in February and an all-format tour of South Africa. South, from February. March 21 to 28.
On his appointment, Lara said, “Having spent time with the players and coaches in Australia and in discussions with the CWI, I really believe I can help the players with their mental approach to the game and their tactics to be more successful.
“I look forward to joining the group in Zimbabwe and the opportunity to work with other West Indies teams later in the year.”
Lara was also recently part of a three-member panel, formed by the CWI, to undertake a comprehensive review of the senior team’s first-round exit from the T20 World Cup last year.
Together, he and Eastern Caribbean High Court judge Patrick Thompson Jr and South African coach Mickey Arthur laid out 34 detailed recommendations to be implemented to improve West Indies cricket in the short term. , medium and long-term.
Adams said: “I look forward to Brian making a significant contribution to our cricket system by providing invaluable guidance and advice to our players and coaches.
“We are confident that Brian will help improve our high-performance mindset and strategic culture that will bring us more success on the field in all formats. Everyone is excited to have Brian involved in supporting our players.”
Lara’s first assignment will be with the West Indies Test squad. He has joined the Zimbabwe Test squad where he will assist in the squad’s preparations ahead of the first Test match in Bulawayo on February 4.
