“We’ve scrambled and we’ve tried to sign a replacement and we’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding. But I think the boys have responded brilliantly to all the challenges that’ve been posed at them.”
“Well, it’s all about execution,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, I must say. Even before the tournament started, we had a camp here in St Kitts and then we played a practice game in Nevis. We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit. The guys have been putting in the effort as to bowling with the wet ball and bowling [at the] death and bowling actually to one side of the field, thinking about whether this batter from the other team is playing and how we’re going to bowl to this batsman. The effort is there and the practice as I mentioned we put in a lot, but it just boils down to execution. We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to but, I’m confident.”
Fletcher: ‘I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves’
Losing and losing on the bounce might result in an unhealthy dressing room – Patriots have just won two out of their 12 games across the past two seasons – but Fletcher said that they have stuck together and blocked the outside noise.
“As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “Yes, I know a lot will be going around, especially when you lose a game. The first game we win…spectators and fans will be like: ‘good leader and great leader’ and two games lost ‘you’re the worst’.
“It’s expected and they always want a win. For me, I just try my best to see where maybe I can improve as a leader. I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together. One thing I don’t want is pointing fingers and we’ve responded well after the two losses, so we are gelling really well as a team and for me that’s important. When teams lose people start segregating and the vibe of the team tends to go down, so I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves.
“A chain is as strong as its weakest link, so for me as a leader I will continue to keep the guys together and ensure that they’re comfortable. People would love to see us go out there and entertain them, but it doesn’t make sense to entertain with a loss. We have to entertain with a win and it’s straightforward.”
*0315hrs, September 5, The story was updated after the CPL sent a release about the replacement players
