On Saturday 20 June, the 2015 Caribbean Premier League will kick off in style with a rematch of the 2014 final, with champions Barbados Tridents hosting Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Kensington Oval.
"I'm sure we're going to be victorious again" - Dwayne Smith
Dwayne Smith proved to be one of the most important cogs in the Tridents’ success last season, scoring 353 runs at an average of 44, including smashing two of the tournament's four centuries.
With the Biggest Party in Sport ready for relaunch, we caught up the explosive batsmen to gauge the mood in Barbados ahead of the opening match…
Q: You were part of the winning Tridents team last year, how confident are you of retaining the title this year?
A: Well I’m very confident. We’ve had a strong additions to our team. We have some more experienced guys that have played through the IPL, so I’m sure that we can put up a good fight. Once we get some luck going and we play some good cricket, I am sure we are going to be victorious again.
Q. Have you got many thoughts ahead of the opening game against Guyana? With everything that went on around the final last year, do you think that’s the best way to open up the tournament?
A: Yeah I think it is. To our advantage we are playing at home, last time they played us there they beat us, but I’m sure we can come out victorious this time. I know it’s going to be a serious match, it’s going to be a grudge match I would say, because we all know how the final ended last year, not our fault even though everyone blamed us. We are ready to go, I’m ready for sure. And I’m sure that our guys are ready to start off with a win.
"I just want to go out there mainly to see my daughter in the stands smiling" - Dwayne Smith
Q. What does it mean for you to be able to start the tournament at home in front of your home fans?
A: I always love playing at home, but it’s going to be normal for me. I don’t worry too much about the fans, I worry about my team. Once I perform with my team I know the fans will come. But I look to perform for myself and my team first, then anyone else comes after. But everyone loves to play at home because you’re more confident, your family is there, we have more backing, and hopefully we can put on a good show.
Q. As a wider point what are you looking forward to most in this year’s competition? What gets you really excited about the CPL?
A: Every game that we play in T20 gets me excited so I just want to get there and I know that the crowds are going to come out because they love the format of the game. I just want to get out there mainly to see my daughter in the stands smiling, knowing her father has just performed out there and the team has just performed because I know she won’t back another team for sure. It’s her dad’s team or no one’s team. I just want to get out there and play because I know the crowds are ready for the T20 cricket. I just want get out there and put in some performances for sure.
Q. What’s it like playing with Kieron Pollard, what does he bring to the Tridents as the captain of the franchise?
A: First of all the experience, he’s been captain of the team for two years now so he knows most of the players now and also very positive going about the team. Having said that, working alongside him is Robin Singh. He has helped us win games, the record and the improvement is there to see. We have added Vasbert Drakes, who we know is going to do a good job as well, especially with the bowlers he has been doing it for the last two or three years now. We have seen that it has paid off with the West Indies women’s team as well. But Pollard, he is the person who I cling to from the start just because we have the same mind-set. Over the years he has matured so much, I know people don’t always see it but he has matured so much as a cricketer and now as a captain and as a person. I have learned so much from that I have put into my life outside of cricket and in cricket as well. He is a good person, he means good and that is why a lot of good falls upon him. He wins almost every competition he plays in. So he has the luck, he is a winner, and that is something that affects us. I’m sure that he knows that and everyone in the team knows that. He has our full backing, the team have a lot of respect for him and I love to see that.
"T20 cricket is one of the best games that was ever created" - Dwayne Smith
Q. You mentioned Robin Singh, is he the best coach you have worked under?
A: Robin changed my whole cricket career, especially when it comes to batting. He is one person that I will never ever forget along with a few others that have changed my life in cricket. He helped me to understand myself. Even when I’m doing something now I pick it up really easily instead of someone having to tell me. For example when I play on pitches that keep low, he taught me to watch the ball much longer and just trying to stay as still as possible, to me he just made it so easy.
Q. For someone coming to Barbados for the start of the tournament, what three things you recommend they go and do?
A: Go to the beach as number one. I’ve picked up a new sport now in golf, I think it’s the best games I’ve played and there are plenty of great courses on the island. Then just the nightlife anywhere.
Q. You mentioned the nightlife, so if you score a century, whose buying the drinks?
A: I don’t think we have a particular person, we all buy drinks. Sometimes someone will just go ahead and do it but there’s nothing that we worry about, we don’t worry about it that too much.
Q. Finally, for someone who might be attending the CPL for the first time this summer what should they expect to see?
A: To sell T20 cricket is easy, because the cricket is great. You get to have fun, have a few beers and watch cricket. What more could you want? In the CPL you can watch big hits, wickets, amazing players. It’s a lovely family feel and I’m sure that the locals will love to have a drink with you. It’s one of the best games that was ever created.
