– Advertisement –
By Samuel Peters
As the Leeward Islands Hurricanes prepare for the upcoming regional cricket season, Head Coach Steve Liburd is entering his second year at the helm with renewed determination and a clear vision for success. After a promising debut season that saw the franchise make significant strides, Liburd is ready to take the next step with his squad.
Reflecting on his first year as head coach, Liburd expressed both satisfaction and ambition. The Hurricanes reached a semi-final and a final in the CWI Breakout League while remaining competitive throughout the CWI Four-Day Championship. However, for the driven coach, there’s unfinished business.
“I think it was a pretty good season,” Liburd said. “Obviously, I would have liked for the team to have won some silverware. That’s the only disappointment of the season.”
Despite missing out on titles, Liburd pointed to a significant achievement that speaks volumes about the program’s development. Several players, including Jewel Andrew, Karima Gore, and Justin Greaves, graduated to the West Indies setup during his first season. “I think that in itself speaks volumes for the work we have done over the year,” he noted.
One of the major storylines heading into the new season is the return of Mikyle Louis to the Hurricanes setup. After being dropped from the West Indies team, Louis finds himself back with his franchise, eager to reclaim his place on the international stage. Liburd sees this as an opportunity for both player and team.
“First thing is to get him back into West Indies colors,” Liburd explained. “I think having gone there, he now knows what he needs to do to get back into the maroon of West Indies, the whites of West Indies. The priority would be finding back what got him there in the first place.”
The situation with Hayden Walsh Jr. has been another talking point. The talented leg-spinner, who served as vice-captain of the four-day team last season, lost his contract but remains determined to fight his way back into contention. Liburd has maintained regular communication with Walsh and is encouraged by the player’s mindset.
“We’ve been having a lot of conversations. I think he’s still eager to play for the Leeward Islands and also West Indies,” Liburd said. “He’s still hungry. He’s still eager. As he said to me, he’s still learning his craft and he still has a lot to offer Leeward Islands cricket.”
The coach emphasized that Walsh is focused on giving himself the best opportunity to stake a claim for selection, whether that means playing for the Hurricanes or exploring other opportunities that keep him match-ready.
The Hurricanes have also bolstered their roster with some strategic additions. Anguillian team captain Dimitri Adams joins the franchise, bringing leadership experience and Super50 pedigree to the setup. Micah McKenzie is another new face, though he’s no stranger to the Hurricanes environment, having been invited to the four-day trials ahead of this season’s championship.
“It’s important for guys coming into any new environment to adapt to the culture,” Liburd stressed. “One of the things we have established as a Leeward Islands team is we bond really well on and off the field. The guys have really good camaraderie.”
Liburd explained that both Adams and McKenzie have been around the environment previously, which should ease their integration into the squad. “It’s just for them to come and get acquainted in the system,” he said.
Working alongside Liburd is Assistant Coach Wilden Cornwall Sr., a partnership that has proven to be highly effective. The two share a long history, having both represented the Leeward Islands as players. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and constant communication.
“Our relationship is good,” Liburd said of his coaching partnership with Cornwall. “We get along really well. We continue to bounce ideas off of each other. It’s something we do really well. We pick up the phone and call each other when we’re thinking of whatever we’re thinking of at any time.”
Both coaches bring valuable experience, having played for the Hurricanes for extended periods and coached at various levels, including in England. This shared knowledge base has created a strong foundation for the coaching staff.
As the Leeward Islands senior competition approaches, Liburd has clear expectations for his squad. He wants to see franchise players stand out and prove their worth, while also providing opportunities for those vying for Super50 selection. “For me, I’m looking for everyone to be consistent,” Liburd emphasized. “Over the years, we would have had players with one score, one decent score, one big score, and then a half-decent score. From a batting perspective, I’m looking for the batters to be consistent, for consistent runs on the board.”
As the Hurricanes ramp up their preparations with training sessions this week ahead of the Leeward Islands tournament, Liburd’s message is clear: the foundation has been laid, and now it’s time to build on that success. With a blend of experienced campaigners, returning talent, and promising newcomers, the stage is set for the Hurricanes to make their mark in the upcoming season.
For Steve Liburd, year two is about taking that final step and delivering the silverware that eluded them in his debut campaign.
About The Author
– Advertisement –
