- JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamaica skipper Wavell Hinds (left) and coach Robert Haynes make their way through the pick-up area upon arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
JAMAICA'S CAPTAIN Wavell Hinds says the team's dip in form since his elevation to the leadership position is not due to a lack of effort on his part.
"I've tried my best so far," he admitted upon their return from Trinidad and Tobago, where they suffered their first loss in the competition this season.
The West Indies opening batsman took over the captaincy from Lambert, who led the team to five straight victories at the half-way stage of the series.
However, since then, Jamaica have managed to accumulate 14 points from three games.
They dropped their first points after losing on first innings to the Leeward Islands, then suffered in a rain-hit 'no-result' match against Guyana, before falling to Trinidad and Tobago by 70 runs in the final session, with 11.3 overs remaining on the final day.
Responding to the question about the possible pressure from cricket fans and experts who said he should not have replaced Lambert, Hinds had this to say:
"I am not too concerned about off-the-field issues. I am more concerned about focusing on what my team has to do; what I have to do as a leader and try and motivate my team as much as possible.
"As far as I am concerned, I am the captain of the Jamaica team and I will try my very best to do a good job for my country."
He was also quick to point out that the team scored its biggest total under his leadership, 448 against the Leewards.
Adding to the negatives, Hinds believes the team's momentum was affected by the rain-ruined match in Guyana, when three of four scheduled days were almost completely washed out.
"Given the circumstances, the element of rain on and off has sometimes stopped the momentum of play, breaking your game plan.
"It's very difficult to get a cricket momentum going when you stop and start," he explained.
Reflecting on their latest match, Hinds said: "We played ok for most part of the Trinidad game and just let up in the latter part of the game."
Pointing to their bowling, he stated: "We didn't put the ball in the right areas as much as we should (second innings), which cost us to chase 360."
He added: "As a batting unit, (in the) second innings we didn't take up the mantle from 1-6."
He also put some of the blame on the officiating umpires, saying there were also "a few poor calls by the umpires, but that's cricket".
Jamaica were made to struggle from early in their second innings and were reeling at 47 for five.
Hinds (one), Xavier Marshall (15), Brenton Parchment (0), Tamar Lambert (five) and David Bernard Jr. (12) were all dismissed cheaply.
Carlton Baugh (152) and Donovan Pagon (76), batting at number three, put on 152 for the sixth wicket which gave Jamaica some hope until the partnership was broken.
"We very much appreciate that Carlton Baugh made a brilliant 152 and Donovan Pagon did his best," the captain said, adding that prior to the contest they "were very positive".
He says Jamaica will now aim to get maximum points from their last two games.
They play their next match against Barbados, who did not arrive as scheduled on the same flight yesterday, at Chedwin Park, starting on Friday, before closing against the Windwards at Alpart next week.
