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More should be done for junior cricket - Bernadus

By M. Shamil Amit
The Sri Lanka Under 19 cricket team that participated at the recently concluded ICC Under 19 World Cup held in Bangladesh was unfortunate to be elimanated after having qualified to the Super Six stage of the tournament. They were one of the three top teams apart from Pakistan who eventually emerged the champions and India who were tipped to enter the final.

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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