Focus is on developing a team for future, says West Indies Asst. Coach Corey Collymore

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Focus is on developing a team for future, says West Indies Asst. Coach Corey Collymore

West Indies team during training for the T20I series against England at Derby. © Cricket West Indies Twitter

West Indies Assistant Coach Corey Collymore has said that although the immediate goal is to win the upcoming series against England, the focus is on building a team for the future.



"Yes, we want to win, but for me, it's more about the development," Collymore said. "We have some younger players and some seniors as well. I think we want to develop a team for the future."



West Indies have been training in a bio-bubble at the Derby County Ground for the five-match T20I series that is set to begin on September 21. Joining the coaching staff of the team recently with the interim head coach Andre Coley, the former West Indian fast bowler said that the team is getting along well in the bubble, and the coaches are working towards a common goal for the team.



"We also have new staff. We are still trying to get to know each other quite well, and the players are adapting to our style of coaching," he said.



"Every coach might have a different idea. But we stick together as a coaching staff and come together with one common goal. I think after the series will be a better indication to see where we are at."



ALSO READ: Keeping the players mentally prepared will be key, says West Indies interim head coach Andre Coley



Collymore said that the new entrant in the squad, Kaysia Schultz, is settling in well with the squad. He was also impressed with youngsters, Shabika Gajnabi and Cherry Ann Fraser, and felt that they would be two players for the future.



"I think Gajnabi is actually a good all-rounder and not just a batter. What I have seen is she has good bowling skills and good fielding skills as well. I think the future is bright. There's also Fraser from Guyana and those are two girls for the future."



As far as the series is concerned, Collymore believes that the strength of the team lies in the balance. "At this point, I would say it's our strength is balance," he said.



"Again we have some experience with the captain and vice-captain and Hayley Mathews as well. I think, in the bowling with (Shamilia) Connell, etc., we have quite a good balance."



The 42-year-old added that the way they field in this series would have a significant role to play in the outcome. "I think fielding will play a very big part in the UK. I think our fielding will definitely play a big part. We should really be on top of our fielding a lot more," he concluded.
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