After hanging up his gloves following his last first-class game for Jamaica back in 2016, Carlton Baugh Jr is traversing the path taken by many past national players,.
The former West Indies and Jamaica wicket-keeper batsman has been assisting with the coaching duties of the nation’s senior female cricketers, and the diminutive right-hander, who played 21 Test matches and 47 One Day Internationals for the West Indies, believes that this new path is where he wants to be.
The former Melbourne and St Thomas CC player says he was brought on board to coach the women’s team by present coach Shane Brooks, and the pair have been tasked with preparing the ladies for the upcoming regional T20 and 50 over competitions slated to get under way in March in St Kitts.
Baugh Jr has worked alongside senior men’s coach Andrew Richardson and former clubmate Nikita Miller and is now in his second season with the females, assisting with all rudiments of the game.
For Baugh Jr, coaching the females has come with its challenges, however, being around international teams and franchises and working individually with players like captain Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry and Rashada Williams has helped him to fit in like the gloves he donned behind the stumps back in the day.
“It’s a bit challenging working with the ladies as you have to deal with different personalities and moods, but I have caught on pretty well, and I am going with the flow right now,” said Baugh.
Baugh, who is on the verge of upgrading his Level 1 coaching certificate, says the current squad has many young, talented players that he believes can pull off some surprises at the regional tournament.
The squad was selected recently, and the team is continuing preparations before the final travelling 14 players are selected to represent the country.
“We have a pretty young team, and I feel there is something special to come. The ladies have been working hard and smart at the same time, and I would love to see them tighten up on the technical aspects of their game,” Baugh said.