Even though table-toppersDesert Vipersare having a great run inILT20 2023, head coachJames Fosterstill believes that being complacent is not an option, with lots of work still to do.
“We’re in a nice position at the moment, but there’s still a lot of work to do. There’s a lot of confidence on the side. The guys are playing well, but we still have some important matches coming up,” Foster said.
While Foster chose not to comment on other teams, he emphasised the importance of the group having fun together and how having renowned players like skipper Colin Munro, wicketkeeper Sam Billings and Alex Hales in the side helps in that regard.
“We’re lucky ’cause we have got world-class players, it’s part of the recruitment process. But it’s just understanding, being nice and calm and requirements you need to assess, you need to understand and absorb some pressure.”
He also stressed the importance of players making the most of the opportunities that they receive. “When you see there’s an opportunity there, you can reverse the pressure back onto the opposition. That’s why we’ve done so well.”
While further elaborating on opportunities, Foster went on to cite the example of when the Vipers beat MI Emirates by seven wickets.
“The way we bowled against MI Emirates the other night was phenomenal. You’re bowling against the best players in the T20 format, left-right combination, with the short boundary, whilst you’re unable to get them out. I thought we absorbed so much pressure there. We showed a lot of skill level, and that was great to see.”
He complimented the Vipers’ and ILT20’s highest run-getter, Alex Hales. “Hales is in great touch, he’s one of the in-form players around the world. It’s great to see him bat in the innings, continuing the form with us. He’s great around the group, he’s relaxed, very chilled out and it’s great to see him in form as well,” Foster said.
Foster also praised skipper Colin Munro, who is enjoying his first-ever stint at captaining a side with the Vipers. “Munro has been around a long time in franchise cricket, he has so much experience and is able to tap into that. He’s been great for us as a group, more so as a leader around the group. I know he has been captaining exceptionally well. I think the way he’s sort of been able to juggle the overs is required, sometimes with the short boundary, big boundary, creating some challenges – I think he’s done a wonderful job. So the way Muns is going, leading from the front as well, which is nice. But it’s just his demeanour around this group has been high class.”
While crunching numbers is a norm in T20 cricket now, Foster accentuated the need for also factoring in the on-field conditions. “We’ve got an experience in this group as we’ve been touching on, from coaching as well as a playing point of view. So we’re just tapping into that, doing our research. On the analytical side, you become aware of what sort of lines and lengths that are going to be key. We don’t need to change much, but there are little adjustments for sure,” he said.
“Some grounds are a bit more spin conducive, historically. Some are bigger scoring grounds, so you do that research, but the most important thing is that you’re playing with what’s in front of you – the conditions, what the ball is doing, what’s the weather like when there is dew when there isn’t dew there. So those are the most important things. Yes, you do research, but playing with what’s in front of you is the most important thing in my opinion,” Foster added.
Foster also praised the local UAE talents like Rohan Mustafa, Ali Naseer and Sheraz Ahmad in the Vipers squad. “They have been doing superbly well. We’ve given Rohan a specific role, a new role for him as well. He bowled some really high-pressure overs as well, like those two overs he bowled against Pooran and Pollard was exceptional. And he really seems to be enjoying that challenge as the UAE boys have been doing as well. Ali has been around the group, he hasn’t bowled as much as he probably liked, and contributions in the field have been key. The way Sheraz has had his opportunities to bowl, he has made some major contributions,” the Vipers’ head coach opined.
Looking ahead, the 42-year-old head coach believes that the ILT20 has the potential to change the fate of UAE cricket. “Well, if you think about this league, all the overseas stars and the starting XI, that’s great to see. And also the impact it’s potentially going to have on UAE cricket. In each team, you got two UAE slots, but I’m a big believer that it’s going to have a huge impact on UAE cricket. The opportunity to learn from some of these wonderful players, from all of these sides, is going to be a great thing.”
