January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Recman writes
Basden: I’m here to help the youth
Q: What do you think of the new domestic league format for this season?
A: I agree with it, you’ve got to have two-day cricket. I was bought up on two-day cricket and it definitely helps the youngsters. It's also good increasing the number of limited over games from seven to because some teams start slower than others and at least they now have a chance to pick it up in the second half of the season.
Q: What is your view of the national programme? Do you think we are on the right track there?
A: First of all it was an excellent idea to get Gus Logie as coach because he brings a lot to the table. He’s been to the top. As far as our local coaches go I’ve played under Alan Douglas and Wendell Smith, who are good, but often don't get the respect someone from abroad would get because everybody knows them. Logie is an excellent choice. I wish I could turn back the years and gain some of his knowledge, the only international coach I had was Bob Jones and that was when I was in primary school! Now that we have Logie I would advise any youngster to pay attention.
Q: The BCB have made a concerted effort to get cricket back into the schools. They've appointed Wendell Smith as National Academy Director to do it. What do you think about that idea?
A: That’s a very good idea. You need to start when you’re young and having Wendell is a good local choice.
I can speak from experience here because I was in the under-19 side when Wendell and Alan were in charge and he knows what he is doing. He’s also good with young people because being a former school principal he knows how to relate to the kids.
Q: Your brother Richard announced his retirement from the game recently, what about yourself are you going to continue playing?
A: I don’t think I will play any two-day games, but I am going to play limited-over matches — although not as much as I used to because we have four youngsters coming along and I want to hang around to help these guys. Sometimes just being on the field with these youngsters helps to boost their morale. My role is just to help provide some guidance and when they are ready I will bow out.
Q: You have been totally committed to Willow Cuts. Other than playing for Somerset in Cup Match and representing Bailey's Bay in the Eastern Counties you've stuck with Cuts. Why such commitment?
A: Actually it is a family thing. My uncles played for Willow Cuts. Charles ‘Skeetes’ Fubler was my first captain and then it was Rodney and Anthony. They taught me the basics of the game. Although some people saw Cuts as a mediocre team I didn’t see it that way and believed I could accomplish things without going to a more established club like Stars or Rangers.
Q: Any young players we should look out for at Willow Cuts this season?
A: Dionte Darrell and Kevon Fubler both recently went to Trinidad with the youth squad. Those are two I would really like to help this season with things like fielding, hitting boundaries and running between the wickets.
We also have Shiroy Fubler who is capable of lifting his game and maybe even making Cup Match or getting international exposure. We also have Bergon Spencer who has been made vice-captain, I want to pass some tips on to him.
Q: One thing I've always admired about Willow Cuts is that despite being a team without a clubhouse you've always travelled abroad on cricket tours…explain?
A: That was another reason I stayed with Cuts - we’ve always travelled. Touring only increased my love for the game.
Right now we have a new president in Richard Basden and we have made plans to tour Canada again in July.[[In-content Ad]]
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