The captains' table
Wisden Cricinfo speaks exclusively to United States captain Richard Staple in the aftermath of the qualification for the Champions Trophy in September
Tony Munro
24-Mar-2004
Wisden Cricinfo speaks exclusively to United States captain Richard Staple in the aftermath of the qualification for the Champions Trophy in September
What's been the reaction to your team qualifying?
Joy and happiness. This win has done a lot for cricket here judging by the response. It's getting out that we won the tournament, and the awareness is much greater now.
Joy and happiness. This win has done a lot for cricket here judging by the response. It's getting out that we won the tournament, and the awareness is much greater now.
What sort of feedback have you had from the non-cricket community?
We've received some calls from politicians. It's an election year. That's always good for publicity, bringing the game into the public forum.
We've received some calls from politicians. It's an election year. That's always good for publicity, bringing the game into the public forum.
How much preparation was there before the tournament?
We had a camp in Florida as most of our players are from the north-east. Mostly net sessions - we didn't play for months. We had Faoud [Bacchus] as well as a few guys who live in Florida, like the former West Indian player Hamesh Anthony, assisting.
We had a camp in Florida as most of our players are from the north-east. Mostly net sessions - we didn't play for months. We had Faoud [Bacchus] as well as a few guys who live in Florida, like the former West Indian player Hamesh Anthony, assisting.
Did you have any idea how quickly you had to win the last match to finish
ahead of Scotland?
About three-quarters of the way into the game we worked out we were going to have to win with two overs to spare.
About three-quarters of the way into the game we worked out we were going to have to win with two overs to spare.
The batting was your strength - did you bank on that knowing the bowling would concede some runs?
Definitely. The wickets were batting tracks and we backed ourselves to bat second as we chase pretty well. We knew our bowling wasn't as strong.
Definitely. The wickets were batting tracks and we backed ourselves to bat second as we chase pretty well. We knew our bowling wasn't as strong.
In the build-up to the Champions Trophy, will you be looking for some more bowlers?
Yes, we have some good young fast bowlers. They were overlooked - I don't know why, to be quite honest. There is a young boy named Imran Awan in Washington DC. He's about the quickest we have in the country. and I think we are going to have to encourage young talent like him because our bowling attack is ageing. We have a lot of cricket prior to the Champions Trophy, so hopefully we can get a few young ones in.
Yes, we have some good young fast bowlers. They were overlooked - I don't know why, to be quite honest. There is a young boy named Imran Awan in Washington DC. He's about the quickest we have in the country. and I think we are going to have to encourage young talent like him because our bowling attack is ageing. We have a lot of cricket prior to the Champions Trophy, so hopefully we can get a few young ones in.
What was different about this squad to previous ones?
Clayton [Lambert] adds professionalism [which was] lacking in the previous sides. Normally, we would lose one or two wickets and then panic when chasing around 240. He keeps his cool, and allows the other players to play with a certain amount of relaxation.
Clayton [Lambert] adds professionalism [which was] lacking in the previous sides. Normally, we would lose one or two wickets and then panic when chasing around 240. He keeps his cool, and allows the other players to play with a certain amount of relaxation.
Should the ICC schedule more tournaments for the top six or so non-Test countries?
Yes. That would be great. We have been too inactive. We play a tournament and then don't play for some time. Against teams like Holland, Scotland and Namibia, we can only improve.
Yes. That would be great. We have been too inactive. We play a tournament and then don't play for some time. Against teams like Holland, Scotland and Namibia, we can only improve.