Head coach Trevor Penney believes Barbados Tridents remain in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, despite losing their last three games.
Barbados Tridents Head Coach Trevor Penney
The Tridents, who have played five matches, are at the bottom of the seven-team table on four points after winning their opening two games before suffering three consecutive defeats.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY during a welcome reception facilitated by franchise partner Guardian Life of The Caribbean Limited, Penney described the mood in the squad as very good, despite a controversial defeat by St Kitts-Nevis Patriots on Tuesday night in Basseterre.
“We got a really good score and should have won that game. Obviously a few interesting things happened that night but we didn’t bowl as well as we should have and we should have won that game even with those things that happened,” he stated.
Penney continued, “But we’ve still come back with two wins and we’re very confident and can’t wait to play in Barbados.”
Penney said the team’s focus is on the upcoming games on home soil at Kensington Oval, beginning on Saturday.
“It’s the one thing I pride myself on as a coach. I said results can’t affect us, so we have to remain confident and keep playing cricket. We know you’re going to lose games and you’re going to win games and I’ve always believed that it’s how you finish that wins tournaments.
“We’ve had a few blips, but as I said, we’ve come back (to Barbados) with two wins and I’m really happy with that.”
Penney is also satisfied with the overall quality of this year’s competition and pointed to the fact that there have been several very close finishes.
“With seven teams there are a few weak gaps here and there and it’s slightly different but I will still say it’s been really good. It’s so competitive and as you’ve seen there’s been a lot of close games,” Penney added.
Looking ahead to the upcoming games in Barbados, Penney does not believe the Tridents need to make wholesale changes in an effort to secure the much needed victories.
“We’re so close and we’re playing really good cricket. I think the best is yet to come, so there’s not much to change. We just need to tweak and execute our skills a little bit better,” he said.
Barbados Tridents open their home campaign with a game against Trinbago Knight Riders at eight on Saturday and Penney has urged local fans to pack into the Oval and support the team.
“I know the Barbadian fans are going to come out. A few years ago when we did really well, they were there and they helped us. It’s like having a 12th man,” he revealed.
(KH)
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