We have to manage our expectations – Coley

West Indies Women’s interim head coach, Andre Coley, says the management of the players on the current tour will be crucial to getting the positive result in England.

Coley was speaking to the media via a Zoom conference on Sunday following the team’s first group session in Derby.

It was the first time since March that the players were getting a workout in the middle as they simulated match situations, as they get ready to take on England in a five-match T20 series, starting on September 21.

Coley, who previously worked with the women’s team in 2012, said getting the players mentally ready for the challenge will be key, as they square off with the world numbertwo ranked England side.

“What we have tried to do as a support staff and management unit is to promote positive energy. Managing expectations is also very important, and accepting where we are coming from and the time that we have on our hands to be ready for international cricket is key,” said Coley.

ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS

The coaching staff spent the first couple of days assessing the conditions and players, with a lot of one-on-one sessions and drills. Bowling coach Corey Collymore worked with the bowlers, while Coley and assistant coach Esuan Crandon did the batting drills with the players. Assistant coach

Steve Liburd conducted the fielding sessions.

The Windies Women will have two and half weeks to prepare for their first international assignment in over five months, and Coley has identified the areas the team needs to improve to come away with a positive result on the tour.

“Over the years the bowling has always been a strength; the batting, in recent past, has been inconsistent, and that is where I believe the key will be if we are going to have any success on this tour.”

“If our batting can get challenging totals or chase down totals to win games, that would be very good. If we are able to maintain our effectiveness while bowling, backed up by some good fielding, I believe we should be very competitive and win a few games,” added Coley.