Inclusive leadership key to Harpy Eagles’ title defence

GEORGETOWN, Guyana:

As the Guyana Harpy Eagles prepare to launch their defence of the Cricket West Indies Four-Day Championship, captain Tevin Imlach has underscored that inclusive leadership and a strong team culture will be the cornerstones of their campaign.

The Guyana Cricket Board unveiled the squad on Sunday for the opening round of the 2026 season, with the Eagles set to face the Windward Islands Volcanoes from April 12-15 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Now entering his third year as captain, Imlach reflected on the evolution of his leadership style, emphasising a shift toward shared responsibility and open dialogue.

"I've learnt a lot about myself in those two years and my style of leadership, which is a lot more inclusive than most. I am someone who welcomes ideas," Imlach said.

"I believe that more than one person is needed to lead a team. You need a group of leaders. Everyone should be a leader within themselves."

The wicketkeeper-batsman stressed that drawing from diverse perspectives strengthens the team's decision-making, both on and off the field.

"Having more options is always better than having a few. That's generally my style of leadership and how I plan on moving forward," he added.

CONSISTENT RECORD

Guyana enter the tournament as the defending champions and boast one of the most consistent records in regional cricket over the past decade. Imlach attributed that sustained success to a well-established template and a formidable bowling attack.

"Over the last decade, Guyana's Four-Day team has been the best in regional cricket. We've always had the best bowling line-up, and we've managed to bowl out teams more often than not. That's our strength," he said.

However, he was quick to credit the batting unit for its recent growth, noting that new players have adapted seamlessly.

"You need bowlers to get teams out, but you also need batters to score runs and do it consistently. Even with new players coming in, they've been able to hit the ground running. They're clear on their approach, and they execute well."

Despite entering the season as the side to beat, Imlach insisted the squad feels no added weight of expectation.

"The aim is always to win cricket games. We try not to look too far ahead or put pressure on ourselves. It's a new tournament, and we'll treat it as such," he said.

"We focus on the first game and adjust as necessary after that," Imlach said. "There's no pressure attached to us in terms of winning. We just try to win every game that we play."

- CMC