Keeping the players mentally prepared will be key, says West Indies interim head coach Andre Coley

Returning back to full-fledged cricket after almost six months, West Indies interim coach Andre Coley has stressed on the fact that keeping the players mentally prepared all the time will be the key when they face England in a five-match T20I series starting September 21.



“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 told reporters via Zoom call in Derby.



The first couple of days went into accessing the conditions and players with lots of one-on-one sessions.  While Coley and assistant coach Esuan Crandon helped the players with their batting, Steve Liburd conducted the fielding sessions.



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The Stafanie Taylor-led side will undergo a two and half weeks training before step on to the field for their first international assignment since March. Coley has identified the areas the team needs to improve.  Earlier last month, the Windies men’s side have played in England, which was the first cricketing activity post-COVID-19.



“Over the years the bowling has always been 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,” he said. “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.