‘Heart And Passion To Play For St George’s’
[Written by Don Burgess]
Wholesale changes in the Cup Match squad for St George’s was a desire from the club to bring in players who have the passion and will to fight.
Captain Macai Simmons told Bernews, “That’s why there was a call for change because I needed different faces to get a different result from this past years.”
The team made six changes for the fifth time in the last six years. Last year St George’s made four changes as they continue the player churn to field a winning lineup against Somerset.
This year colts Temiko Wilson, Chare Smith, Detroy Smith, and Charles Trott will join the Simmons captained-squad. Former captain Oronde Bascome has been recalled and will serve as vice-captain. Last year his brother Onias was St George’s vice-captain. Also earning a spot back on the team is Mishael Paynter.
Gone from the 2017 blue and blue side is Lionel Cann, Rodney Trott, George O’Brien Jr, Kyle Hodsell, Nzari Paynter, and Sinclair Smith.
“I have confidence in this team,” Simmons said. “The team is tight-knit, and I know everybody is going to work for each other.
“Cup Match is going to be interesting because the players on my team don’t give up, and they don’t settle for losing. We are going to win the fight, and that’s what instils the confidence in me because they have that ‘never say die’ attitude.
“We are all from St George’s, and we all have St George’s at heart. We’re going to see more passionate feelings from the team the St George’s selectors have selected.”
Simmons added the four colts are a good fit for his system and their youth “shows we are trying to build for the future. That’s my plan; my vision for the future. It’s not about winning it now. It would be nice to win it now, but I have to look down the road and into the future. I have to leave the past behind because the future is where we are headed.”
The St George’s captain insisted changes needed to be made.
“We’ve been doing the same thing and getting the same results,” Simmons said. “We have to make different changes to try to win and get a different result. How can we get a different result when we keep trying the same things? It just doesn’t make any sense.
“The performance last year wasn’t up to par,” Simmons added. “Going forward, I want players on my team who fight for me, work for me, and work for each other. They also need to have the heart and passion to play for St George’s. Talent is one thing, but hard work is another.
“Everyone has talent, but whoever works harder, wants it more. The main thing from last year is the players have to play with more passion, they have to play hard, they have to play to fight because they don’t want to lose.”
Simmons said some players last year lacked club pride and the will to fight tooth and nail for St George’s. He believes the 14 selected this year will give everything they have to fight for a victory.
“That’s all I am asking for,” Simmons said. “My players this year will be playing from a different place, and we’re all fighting for the same cause.”
St George’s came third in the league this year, and Simmons said that is why most of the Cup Match team is from the club. “I know they have had my back the whole season and I know they are not going to give up on me now, so that’s why I have total confidence in my squad.”
He said there were several players in last year’s Cup Match squad who didn’t have the passion and quit on the team during the game.
“That’s why there was a call for change because I needed different faces to get a different result from these past years.
“We’re laying the foundation for the future. If we compete this year at a higher level than last year, I’m happy. All I want to see is progress. I want to close the gap, but who knows, anything is possible because that’s cricket.”
#teamkenny
“Simmons added the four colts are a good fit for his system and their youth “shows we are trying to build for the future. That’s my plan; my vision for the future. It’s not about winning it now. It would be nice to win it now, but I have to look down the road and into the future. I have to leave the past behind because the future is where we are headed.”
Until you STOP selecting family members, not based on talent and work/experience throughout the year, then we as a team can come together and WIN the Cup again!
“some players last year lacked club pride” & ” didn’t have the passion and quit on the team during the game” – some major allegations there, interesting to see how this plays out in upcoming years if the discarded players continue to try out for the side.
I, I, I and I
I am a St. George’s supporter and this interview concerns me.
The team has to do more than ‘have the captain’s back’. They have to be prepared to play for each other more than self and remember the history of the game. The role of the leader is to inspire and set an example.
‘It’s not about winning it now. It would be nice to win it now, but I have to look down the road and into the future.’ – Is that where we are? Where the captain does not have the confidence for victory?
I don’t know who is responsible but someone has to have a heart to heart with the team to give them the confidence to win on Thursday and Friday – of this year!
The starting point for victory is seeing yourself as victors…
Good point. Who’s to say who may be in form next year, who may be injured, who may get an opportunity to develop overseas, etc.
Well said.
Macai, you and your team have mine and many others 100% support. I actually made a similar statement on FB last week about wanting the St. George’s team to play with more heart and passion, so reading this interview today warmed my heart. Go out there on Thursday and Friday and give it your all. Pay no mind to the haters and naysayers who live to see others fail. You notice those critics above refuse to use their real names so their cowardly remarks don’t matter anyway. I can guarantee you those same people walk up to you and bump fist with you when they see you and smile in your face. The whole ‘family’ talk is old and boring and only comes from jealousy. Anyway, I’ve given the haters too much time. Do yourself, your team, your family and your community proud. All the best in the 2018 Cup Match classic! Go St. George’s!!!!!
Chinkey, Decas,Baby Herbie and crew. Go up Somerset and make St.George’s people proud again!!