UP Warriorz need to rework combinations, says Neetu David
UP Warriorz will need to rework their combinations and not repeat the mistakes of the past as they look to turn their fortunes around in the Women’s Premier League, said chief scout Neetu David here on Wednesday.
Neetu, a former India spinner who was also the chairperson of the senior women’s selection committee, has been appointed as the chief scout of the franchise, which finished at the bottom in the points table in the last two seasons.
“I am very happy that I have joined UP Warriorz; this is my team because I am also from UP. I will try to select the best players for the tournament according to my conversations with (head coach) Abhishek (Nayar),” Neetu told PTI in an interaction organised by the franchise.
“I won’t say there is any extra pressure,” she said when asked about her transition from being the chairperson of Indian selectors to UPW’s chief scout.
“…But the mistakes that we have made in the last two or three years, we will try not to make those mistakes and try to rectify them.” “As far as selection is concerned, we are trying to have a look at our combinations, whether it is batting or bowling. We have been talking about this for a long time and keeping this in mind I am looking at the other aspects, be it our domestic cricket or about players from around the world,” Neetu said.
UPW, who had Australia legend Alyssa Healy at the leadership helm and behind the wickets in the first two seasons of WPL, went into last edition without any frontline wicketkeeper.
“We are paying attention to wicketkeeping as well. Plus, we are also looking at spin bowlers, someone who takes the ball away, we are in search for that,” Neetu said.
The former left-arm spinner said she has had productive discussions with head coach Nayar in order to take the team in the right direction, adding that there is no specific pressure on her.
“I can’t say how much my role will benefit or not. But it is important for us to not repeat the mistakes which is what we will work on, not just in the coming season but in years to come. We will need to play the right combination,” Neetu said.
“Abhishek is very sorted and all the conversations that I have had with him, this year he is very clear how he has to take the team ahead. (Team mentor) Lisa (Sthalekar) has also helped a lot so we hope that UP Warriorz will do a lot better in coming time,” Neetu added.
