King, Sanford in W.I Fast Bowling Camp

Former West Indies Test players Reon King and Adam Sanford are among a group of fast bowlers honing their skills at a WICB-sponsored pace bowling camp which kicked off in Antigua on Sunday.

Former Test pacers Andy Roberts and Kenneth Benjamin along with physical trainer Evans 'Jawakie' Jones are conducting the camp. Benjamin said the WICB is hoping to capitalise on some of the techniques the regional coaches received during a recent workshop conducted by Australian coach Ashley 'Toot' Byron.

According to Benjamin, the camp is not geared at changing any of the bowlers, but rather to enhance the bowlers? performances. "We are not here to change anyone. Andy and I have been chosen to make these guys the most efficient bowlers they can be," Benjamin said.

"As a matter of fact, these guys would have reached the point where they are set in their ways and we probably cannot change their styles even if we wanted to. In the meantime though, we are very much concerned on the safety and efficiency of our bowlers, so we are hoping that we can assess their techniques and see if we can recognise any weaknesses," Benjamin added.

The Antiguan went on to say the camp will be a lot different from previous camps in the past. He said the bowlers will be expected to be a part of the decision making processes along with the coaches.

"The bowlers will have to decide whether or not they are willing to make the necessary changes, if any are suggested to them," Benjamin added.

"For instance, if we would have recognised some fault or technique in a particular individual that we think could be harmful to that player, then it would be up to that person to be willing to make the necessary adjustments."

A number of West Indies pace bowlers have suffered multiple injuries that have kept them out of the sport for long periods. Current West Indies pacers, including King, Franklyn Rose, Cameron Cuffy, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins and Corey Colleymore have all suffered some type of injury while playing.

"One of the major concerns for us during this week is to see what the bowlers are doing or not doing that may contribute to their injuries," Benjamin said.

While one of the main reasons for the camp is to have the bowlers perform more efficiently, Benjamin said the WICB is looking for bowlers with pace. "We cannot get away from the fact that fast bowling is about bowling fast, but that is not the only aspect of a pace bowler."

"We have video taped the guys in action so that we can do just that, and hopefully, at the end of the session we could have the guys bowling not just faster and more efficient, but safer," Benjamin added. The Antiguan said while the camp is important he hopes that the WICB will be able to conduct these sessions for younger bowlers.

"It would have been more ideal if we could have captured these guys at an earlier age, at the under-15 and under-17 levels," Benjamin said. "That would have been more ideal, but I applaud the WICB for at least recognising the importance of at least starting the ball rolling and recording the bowlers' actions for study."

* SOURCE: Antigua Sun