Windwards Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions clash on Wednesday

The Windward Islands Volcanoes were earlier this week winding down preparations ahead of Wednesday’s start of their four-day cricket match against Jamaica Scorpions at the Arnos Vale Grounds.

“I think the preparation has been really good. We had a few practice games and then we got into the middle of the battle where we started putting a lot more nets and individual training, so the preparation has been good,” coach of the Windwards squad, Kenroy Peters told SEARCHLIGHT.

“All the batters seem ready to go and all the players as well … so I’m really looking forward to the challenge starting on Wednesday.”

Peters said on Monday, January 27, 2025 that discussions on the final 11 have been taking place to make a choice from “among 13 quality players… and whoever goes out on strike, I’m very confident that they will do well”.

The strip on Monday looked to have a greenish tinge to the top, an indication of grass, but sources said the head groundsman, is “going to shave off some of the grass”.

Peters said people saw the series against Bangladesh, “and we saw that there’s something in there for the bowlers…in fact, there’s something for everyone. We are not going to get tricked by looking at how much grass is there. We still have to bowl in a good area to pick up 10 wickets. We still have to bat well to score 300 runs, so we are definitely just looking to go and just play the conditions on the day”.

He, however believes that winning the toss will play a critical role as to who dictates the opening sessions of the game.

“The toss is always important and especially with the pitch that we will be playing on after having no full four-day cricket in a while, everybody will be a bit anxious and nervous to what it might do. So on the day we will make that decision and hopefully we make the right decision, but again its luck and chance so we are just hoping whatever decision is made and what we are supposed to do that we do it to the best of our abilities,” Peters added.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes, over the last two seasons, performed well in the four-day format. Peters believes “the players are a bit more confident in this format because it’s played over four days so you have enough time to get yourself into the tournament, and everybody is looking forward to it.”
“ As a unit I think we are very confident, and we are hoping to go one step better than the last two previous seasons,” the Windwards coach stated.

Following the January 29-February 1, 2025 four-day game against Jamaica, the Windward Islands Volcanoes will engage the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in a pink ball four- day game from February 5-8, 2025, also at the Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds.

Peters, who played four pink ball matches for the Windward Islands in the early to mid-2000s, welcomes its return to regional cricket.

“If you look now going around the world, almost every series has a pink ball match in it, and if West Indies want to compete against the other nations, we have to do as well as what they are doing. I think it’s a good opportunity for all the players to test themselves under slightly different conditions,” Peters pointed out.

“With the pink ball, we all know what it does and we all know the challenges it poses, but the most important thing to me in playing pink ball cricket is just playing at a different time of the day. The same principle applies, watching the ball, playing on its merit and be smart … and I hope all players can do that.”

Peters who formed an effective bowling partnership with Vincentian, Deighton Butler, recalls “picking up nine wickets a few times” with the pink ball playing in Saint Lucia, which he said has one of the better pitches in the region.

He is using that experience and passing it on to the fast bowlers.

“I am actually bowling in the nets and I’m actually giving some tips and they come and ask questions which is good, and one of the things that is very pleasing to know that some of these players are actually saying that when they were young they looked up to me when I was playing. So it’s good to hear that they are always picking your brain about how can one be the best bowler in the world,” Peters told SEARCHLIGHT.