W.I World Cup Training Camp Schedule

A pair of day/night matches at the new, floodlit Airport Cricket Ground on January 23 and 26 will be a feature of the two-week preparatory camp for the 20-man World Cup cricket squad, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced on Friday.

The Board said the two day/night contests will be part of the packed agenda for the team at the camp that runs from January 13-26, in Antigua before the team departs for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

"A significant emphasis will be placed on getting the team ready mentally, physically and technically, so we have designed a fairly balanced programme to help us achieve the objectives of the camp," team managerRicky Skerritt said.

The first week of the camp will be conducted behind closed doors when the emphasis will be upon attaining optimum fitness levels for the squad. This will include strength and endurance training under coach Roger Harper and team trainer Ronald Rogers.

During this week, the team will also benefit from sessions from American personal development trainer Bob Wieland assisted by Barbadian Errol Griffith.

The WICB said the second week of the camp will focus mainly on the technical development of the players with nets and match simulations including the pair of day/night matches at the ACG, where most of the physical and technical training will take place.

Former West Indies fast bowlers Andy Roberts and Kenny Benjamin will assist Harper in the implementation of the performance objectives of the camp during the second week.

"Andy will be our specialist bowling coach during the camp, while Kenny will help Roger wherever there is a need," Skerritt said.

Separately, the WICB has seconded cricket development officer Michael Seepersaud to fill the role of the ICC Interim Regional Development Manager for the Americas region for the next few months.

In addition to his current duties, Seepersaud will work in that role two days a week until a full-time Regional Development Manager is appointed. The ICC is currently advertising for the permanent position to be be in place by March 31 this year.