… looks for Inter-county call-up

TALENTED Malteenoes Sports Club all-rounder Kellon Carmichael returned home from England last Sunday night, following a productive stint with Hadleigh and Thundersley Cricket Club (HTCC) and Sabina Cricket Club.Having left Guyana less than three months ago after his club’s executive member Neil Barry – who played for HTCC during the 1990s – had tied up the negotiations, the 25-year-old Carmichael returned a happy man. He topped HTCC’s bowling aggregates and was fourth in their batting.
This heroic performance enabled HTCC to finish the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League division-one competition in third place, a feat Carmichael felt pleased about, since his aim was to get them within the top four at the start of the season.
From 20 games played, Carmichael scored 572 runs at an average of 31.92, with his highest score being 78 against Woodford Wells at HTCC’s home ground, John Burrows Park – an innings that was decorated with 11 fours and three sixes from the 90 deliveries he faced, even as he had scores of 111 not out, 74 and 59 in three practice games for HTCC during the week.
In the bowling department, he took 47 wickets at an average of 16.38, with his best figures being 7 for 16 against Bardoli Cricket Club, after he had topscored for HTCC with 48 in their 127 all out, steering them to a comfortable 77-run victory in the process.
For Sabina who competed in the South London Division One tournament that is played only on Sundays, Carmichael scored 322 runs from nine innings with an unbeaten 100 against Coventry being his highest score for that club, who went on to win that competition before the preliminary round of matches was completed.
While he placed fourth in their batting aggregates, he was their leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets at an average of 7.64 and a strike rate of 16.32. His best bowling performance was the 6 for 20 taken against Blackheath Cricket Club playing out of Kent.
Asked to comment on his inaugural performance, the soft-spoken Carmichael told Chronicle Sport that the exposure and experience gained will be cherished, since he learnt a lot when it comes to his personal game, especially in the batting and bowling departments.
“It was a really good experience playing in different conditions. At first it was testing batting-wise, since I left Guyana where the pitches are low and slow and was playing on pitches that were fast, had lots of grass and conditions that were conducive for swing and seam bowling to fast bowlers.
“I was forced to adopt quickly, which I did and got some runs under my belt, even though the century eluded me, I am still pleased with my returns with the bat, while in the bowling department, things were much easier as the conditions suited my style of bowling,” said Carmichael.
He added, “I also did some personal work with the club’s coach Chris Gladwin, who pointed out some deficiencies in my batting and changed same and that has helped me to be more confident, mature and patient, even as I exhibited the ability to work hard and build an innings.
“I think my 78 scored against Woodford Wells after the sessions with Chris, highlighted my ability to build an innings and all I am looking to do now is build on that and move forward with my cricket in a positive and mature manner.”
Asked what is next for him, Carmichael without hesitation said he is looking to crack into the Demerara or even Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Development Team for the Inter-county four-day tournament which bowls off today, even as he has his eyes set on returning to both HTCC and Sabina next year.
On a positive side of things, the semi-professional player also secured an equipment contract with PR Cricket in India, the same company that furnishes Barbados and West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards with equipment.
“I can never express my gratitude to Mr Barry for what he has done for me in getting me this contract. I wish to say thanks to him from the depths of my heart, since I did not only have the opportunity to play cricket, but learnt a few things to improve my game and also landed a contract,” said Carmichael.

(By Calvin Roberts)