Sports
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More should be done for junior cricket - Bernadus By
M. Shamil Amit This
was the view of Carlton Bernadus one of the experts in the handling
of junior cricket who has tremondous experience in this age group.
He is presently serving the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as the
National Age Group coach and Director Planning and Development Programme
of the BCB. He first took up duties as the coach of players between
12 to 19 years two years ago. The
Sunday Times had an opportunity of speaking to Carlton a man of
immense experience in the field of cricket. He was the manager of
the Sri Lanka Under 19 team that participated in the ICC Under 19
World Cup when it was held in Sri Lanka in the year 2000 where the
Sri Lankans emerged runners up to India. Apart from giving his views
of the Sri Lanka team he also spoke of how budding cricketers should
be developed. Speaking
to the Sunday Times about the talent of the Sri Lanka Under 19 team.
Carlton said there was abundant talent in the team, their performance
was fantastic they have the potential and there are national prospects
in the side and Sri Lanka Cricket should keep them in trim and make
use of them and give these young players more opportunities as they
are the future assets. He
said I think it is advisable to have a player exchange programme
with other test playing nations so that they can enhance their ability
after their exit from the Under 19 category. While giving them the
opportunity to enhance their career they should also be given a
cricket education which eventually will give them the much needed
experience to handle pressure. Serious
thoughts should also be given to the players in the Under 12, 14
and 16 year age group. They should be thought the aspects of physical
training and mental toughness. To make this a success they should
be monitored by their respective coaches at school, district and
provincial level in their approach, attitude and language. A language
programme, confidence building and game plans are other essential
aspects as many international events taking place around the world. Then
a separate graduation scheme for coaches must also be adopted on
similar lines by building a coaching unit to serve school district
and provincial cricket. By introducing this, a base will be created
and all coaches too will become an expert on batting bowling and
fielding. The main aim is in producing talent then winning will
come naturally. He
stressed that talented players should be sent to cricket academy's
in Australia, now called the centre of excellence, England and to
the respective clinics in India, Chennai (spin) and MRF (fast bowling).
Here again if sending players they should be monitored regularly
to keep the results for which bio mechanical principles should be
implemented. Lastly
technology must be brought into the game (which is being done in
most cricket playing nations) with a central data base if we are
to be successful, this will be of immense help in improving a players
performance. Carlton
has been involved in cricket for over three decades beginning as
a player at St Joseph's College and then the represented NCC and
Colts Cricket Club. He led Colts CC for two seasons 1983/83 and
1984/85. He later took over the Josephian junior cricket team where
he coached the team for three years. He
was appointed the senior team coach in 1989 and coached them for
seven years. He also coached his club Colts and there are many players
who are playing first club at present who have undergone training
from him. He was the coach of the Bangladesh Under 19 cricket team
that participated in the ICC Under 19 World Cup held in New Zealand
in 2002. The BCB has gained immense from the services rendered by Carlton and he is a popular figure in Bangladesh. When the Sunday Times asked him will he come back to serve his country, he said I am ever willing to serve my country, it’s my ambition. |
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