ICC World T20: Derek Pringle on The Oman Adventure
Tuesday 8 March 2016 12:21, UK
Oman will participate in the World T20 for the first time next week - no mean feat, especially given that last summer's qualification tournament was held in the unfamiliar playing conditions of Scotland and Ireland.
Their success means that they have been granted full Twenty 20 International status until at least 2019 with the prospect of matches against the likes of England, Australia and India.
So how strong is the game in Oman and how did former England all-rounder Derek Pringle become the team's Technical Adviser during the team's training camp in Ireland last summer?
"It was after a casual conversation between John Stephenson (MCC Head of Cricket and Pringle's former Essex colleague) and a chap called Pankaj Khimji, MCC member but also a mover and shaker in Oman cricket," says Pringle.
"His beef was that Oman had been to qualifying tournaments before but never progressed and they wanted someone who might be able to steer them through British conditions."
Pringle proved a shrewd choice - after an early loss to Kenya, Oman went on to beat the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Namibia as they qualified ahead of more seasoned sides like Nepal and the UAE.
With the former Sri Lankan captain Duleep Mendis as coach ("a calming influence", according to Pringle,) the team surpassed expectations, primarily thanks to a strong and long batting line-up. So who are the ones to watch?
"Jatinder Singh is the best all-round batsman, in that he knows how to pace a T20 innings and Zeeshan Maqsood can strike it like Chris Gayle though he tends to lack the judgment about when best to do that."
The bowling may not be as strong but, having used Pringle's expertise in British conditions, Oman have now engaged former Indian slow left-armer Sunil Joshi and Sri Lankan all-rounder Rumesh Ratnayeke to prepare for the Sub-Continental pitches they will experience in the World T20.
According to Pringle, the most obvious area where there is room for improvement is in fielding. "Had we caught 90 per cent of the catches we dropped, we'd have finished in the top three instead of sixth," he reflects.
Whatever happens to Oman on the big stage over the next few weeks, the long term challenge is to grow the game at grassroots level, in a country where the main players are still predominantly Indian and Pakistani expats.
Full international status will mean extra ICC funding and facilities are improving all the time - pitches are primarily made of astro turf and floodlights were recently installed at a revamped ground in Muscat. Having been born and raised in Kenya, (who have faded away somewhat after qualifying for the 2003 World Cup), Pringle understands the difficulties faced by emerging cricketing nations.
"Oman's success in getting to India has certainly enthused everyone I met but they really need the local Omani Arabs to embrace the game to give cricket a future," he says.
"So far, football is the sport they revere, but that could change if Oman's cricket team can claim a high profile scalp or two in India."
Getting out of a tough group comprising Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands may prove a step too far but the team's performances could still generate national interest.
"It would be great if they qualified for the World T20 proper but providing they win at least one of their qualifying games, I think their adventure can be seen as a success," says Pringle.
After their unexpected triumphs last summer, who would bet against Oman springing further surprises in India?
Sky Sports is the only place you can watch all 35 games in 27 days of the 2016 ICC World T20, starting with Zimbabwe v Hong Kong on Tuesday 8th March at 9am on Sky Sports 2 HD. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
