Phillip keen to make lasting impression at CPL

Phillip keen to make lasting impression at CPL
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Thursday, June 23 2016

The People’s Newspaper continues to profile the players of the reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) as the countdown continues for the start of the 2016 Caribbean Premier League. Newsday and the TKR franchise have formed a partnership which would see Newsday getting behind-thescenes access to the players of the TKR and its support staff for the duration of the CPL.

Fans can expect in-depth coverage of the Trinbago Knight Riders players, their off-field activities, previews and of course match reports. The Trinbago Knight Riders open their season against the St Lucia Zouks on June 29 at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair.

Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 (CPLT20) debutant, Anderson Phillip, anticipates his competitive berth for the Trinbago Knight Riders when 2016 action bowls off at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Phillip recently progressed out of regional Under-19 competition and will now embark on his first ever major international T20 tourney. Currently the youngest representative on the Trinidad and Tobago franchise, Phillip is intent on making a lasting impression once given the chance to perform. He is aiming towards bolstering his cricketing knowledge by feeding off the many veteran players around him, who have since taken him up under their wings as one of this top nation’s rising stars.

Phillip, who turns 20 in September, expressed elation with his Trinbago Knight Riders pick and relishes this golden chance to make a name for himself.

“First of all I want to thank God for all the opportunities He has given to me,” said a soft-spoken Phillip at the Oval yesterday.

“This is the best one so far. It’s a great feeling to be around a lot of the senior players, both overseas and from the Caribbean. Being able train in the best facilities in the region and with the best players, for me, I want to get as much experience and take as much as I can from this opportunity. It’s an honour to play in the CPL and especially to represent Trinidad and Tobago.” At the team’s first training session at the Oval yesterday, Phillip was eager to get on to the pitch and begin his regime. Training alongside Guyanese veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan, TT ’s Kevon Cooper, Jamaican Nakita Miller and coaches Simon Helmots and Imran Jan among others, a bright glow of hope emanated from the young man.

For this year’s edition, the formerly dubbed TT Red Steel team has acquired the expert services of South African top-order batsman Hashim Amla, in addition to New Zealanders Brendan McCullum and Colin Munro, backed by the 2015 title-winning captain, Dwayne Bravo. According to Phillip, what more inspiration does he need? “It’s a great feeling to be around these guys and I plan to ask them a lot of questions because that’s how I learn,” he added. “With guys like Amla, McCullum and Dwayne Bravo on the team, it’s a given to learn a lot. Being around the manager Colin Borde and the other veterans of local cricket I feel comfortable. I honestly never thought that I would be given such an opportunity and just want to grasp it with both hands and make full use of it.” Two months ago, Phillip played an integral role in carrying his Carapichaima East School team to the Secondary Schools Cricket League title and is hoping to maintain a winning momentum into the CPL. Prior to his Secondary School stint, Phillip was actually a track and field athlete coming out of Couva’s Exchange RC Primary School. It was upon his introduction to the second stage of schooling that the youngster opted to try his hand at fast bowling.

“During primary school I was a track and field athlete and only when I headed to secondary school did I establish a strong liking for cricket. Growing older my passion for the sport grew and I continued working. I’ve been training very hard and am approaching this tournament with excitement but also carefully because this is my first time on such a big stage. I would like to make a name for myself for upcoming tournaments as well,” he continued.

In conclusion, Phillip stated, “I want to thank my parents, my mother has been by rock. To my family, I just want to say thanks.

Any youngster that wants to have a future must continue to work hard. It doesn’t come overnight.

For me, I just want to continue to work hard and later on the batting will come in fully. I would like to be a great all-rounder. It must have a little bit of anxiety but it’s all up to the athlete to manage it and balance the pressure.”

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