By Orin Davidson
Speculation on the role of Indian coach Robin Singh with United States national teams has grown with the revelation that he could likely take over the national men’s team.
USACA president Gladstone Dainty. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) president Gladstone Dainty said Singh ‘s tenure is initially with the Under -19 national team currently contesting the ICC Americas competition, but his role could be expanded.
Asked if Singh will take over the senior men’s team, Dainty was non-committal.
“He is a very accomplished coach and we are pleased to have and would prefer to have him work in as many areas as possible,” the USACA head explained.
The senior team placed a disappointing sixth out of six teams in the just concluded ICC World Cricket League Division Three competition in Hong Kong and was demoted to Division Four as a result.
Speaking exclusively to newyorkcricket.com, Dainty would not be drawn on revealing Singh’s contractual arrangements.
“Put it this way Robin Singh is now one of our (USACA) coaches and we intend to utilize him as much as we can”, Dainty said.
He added that Singh will definitely work with the junior team if it qualifies for the ICC Under-19 World Cup set for next year and dithered on the coach’s salary, stating that he made a big sacrifice to coach the U.S. team.
According to the president, Singh is good enough to hit the ground running and do a good job although he would’ve been meeting the team for the first time, two days before the competition started.
It is understood that the coach is scheduled to leave the United States on Sunday after the Americas competition is concluded
Singh replaces Sew Shivnarine who took the team to the last World Cup one year ago in New Zealand where they were eliminated in the preliminary stage.
Singh was recently appointed coach of IPL team Mumbai Indians after being relieved from the said position at Deccan Chargers, according to Wikipedia website. Singh was also fielding coach of the India national team but was also relieved in 2009, the website has listed.
Chairman of the USACA’s cricket development committee Krish Prasad said he has no problem with appointment of Singh who he said has impressive credentials, but feels that the America-based coaches must not be sidelined as a result.
“We have guys here like Shivnarine (Sew), Fraser (Linden) and Lambert (Clayton) who must continue to have roles with teams here.
Shivnarine and physical trainer Victor Benjamin conducted a recent training camp with the Under-19 team in Florida, but none will have roles with the team in the current competition under Singh.
Dainty said he wanted the Indian coach to initially work exclusively with the players without interference. He disclosed that Shivnarine is attending the competition as a selector.
Benjamin a renowned former Guyana national team physical trainer who also worked with the West Indies team in the 1980s, was a member of the World Cup contingent to New Zealand.
The controversial Akthar ‘Chick’ Masood , however has been reappointed as physio/trainer in a continuous long spell with both senior and junior teams.
Dainty explained that as far as he knows Masood is the lone licensed physiotherapist in cricket circles, pointing out that it costs the Board nothing to have him on board.
He explained that he has never sought the credentials of Benjamin, who was trained in sports medicine in Cuba and Basil Butcher Jr, who has worked with a number of teams here in that capacity.