Coach Thomas guards against Kings’ complacency

Last season, Surrey Kings played enterprising cricket to the final of the Dream XI-sponsored Jamaica Ten10 (T10) competition, where they lost to Surrey Royals.

Kings won six games and lost three in the preliminary phase of the competition, and already this season, Kings have chalked up six wins and are yet to lose a game under the leadership of West Indies Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood and now Jeavor Royal.

Blackwood is with West Indies preparing for the India series, and Royal has picked up where Blackwood has left off, leading Kings astutely, which is pleasing for head coach Milton Thomas.

"We are doing a good job and playing well, but there are some little departments which need to be tighter, such as we can be sharper in the field," said Thomas.

With a powerful batting line-up, which sometimes has West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, Thomas believes his strong all-round unit is making the difference with the team going for their seventh straight win when they face Cornwall Warriors today at Kensington Park.

"I am lucky enough to have a good bench, and the quality players on the bench are eager to show their worth, so we have a good depth, which has put us in a good place," Thomas said.

Thomas is wary of what transpired last season when Kings had the momentum leading into the knockout round and then faltered in the big game.

"Last year, we lost the ascendency after the seventh round, and I keep reminding my players that we can't get complacent, and that is why I want to see them play tighter and better," he stated.

Kings will be playing the next couple of games without national batsman Brad Barnes, who picked up an ankle injury during Sunday's game against Middlesex Titans.

They will also be missing national opener Kirk McKenzie, who has been drafted into the West Indies preliminary squad in preparation for the upcoming Test series against India.