…GCB commended for placing emphasis on three- day cricket
“I completely applaud the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for the special emphasis they have placed on three- day cricket and I am extremely happy that a long term plan is being put in place to sustain this form of the game.”

These were the words of president of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Alfred Mentore during his address to the audience at the presentation ceremony held for the GCA/Cellink Plus sponsored first division competition at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion, Friday night.

Flanked by GT&T’s Phaedra Cramer-Phillips (left) and GCA”S Alfred Mentore (right), from left Steven Jacobs, Abhilash Dookie, Collis Butts and Rajendra Chandrika display their spoils gained from the just concluded GCA/Cellink Plus first division cricket competition. (Photo by Calvin Roberts)

Alfred himself a former national Under-19 batsman further stated that the three -day level of cricket is the fundamental stage where young batsmen, bowlers, fielders and even wicketkeepers learn their skills and perfect their trade.

“With stringent planning by the Cricket Development Committee (CDC) of the GCA which includes Roger and Mark Harper, Neil Barry, Reon King, Roderick Lovell and Theresa Pemberton and others, we will make every effort to keep the three- day format of the game alive, amidst the popularity of the Twenty20 format of the game” said Alfred.

While he expressed his disappointment at the way things ended with regards to the mediation talks between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association I(WIPA), Mentore hoped that things can be rectified soon, as such matters can damage young and upcoming cricketers.

“This unsatisfactory situation if not settled very soon, can cause serious damage to the image of West Indies cricket and at the same time, demotivate young aspiring players from pursuing the game professionally and I hope for the sake of our cricket, a responsible resolution is on the cards soon.”

He took the time to congratulate the league winners in Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), joint winners Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Everest Cricket Clubs respectively, while outstanding individual performers such as best batsman Steven Jacobs, best bowler Damian Van Tull and best all- rounder Sauid Drepaul came in for honourable mention from the president.

Showers of praise were also bestowed on national Under-19 fast bowler Seon Daniels, who was adjudged the best fast bowler in the tournament.

He continued, “It is easy for promising players to get distracted, but with vigilant coaches, parents and astute cricket administrators, these outstanding players can be future role models and we at the GCA would like to implore them to remain true to the values of the game.”

Marketing Officer 1 of sponsor Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Phaedra Cramer-Phillips, in her brief remarks recalling the days of West Indies dominance of world cricket, charged the players not to forsake their academics for the game.

“First of all, let me say to you that GT&T is committed to giving back to you and to the players who were on show during this competition, I would like to say thanks for the show you put on at the matches.”

Stating that she is a new fan of cricket, Phillips reflected back on West Indies dominance under the leadership of Clive Lloyd, informing the audience of her husband’s duty to regale her of cricket stories including the action by late President Forbes Burnham who had his chopper transport Lloyd to the GCC ground for a regional match against Trinidad and Tobago..

“Looking at you here today and having seen some of you in action, I know that in our midst we have future West Indies players who can help bring back the game to the days of yore when Lloyd, Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner and the rest dominated cricket on the international scene” Phillips said.

She further stated, “While it would be nice to see you representing the West Indies in the future, I would like to remind you not to forsake your academics, as that will be something you can fall back on when your playing days are over and with that in mind, I wish to congratulate all the respective winners in this year’s tournament and to those who did not succeed, I say better luck next time.”

ECC and GNIC received $50,000 each, a split in the first prize after being forced to share the championship, the second successive year GNIC is being asked to do so having done same with MSC last year, and a trophy.

By virtue of finishing on top of the points standing during the preliminary rounds, MSC were awarded with a trophy and 16 medallions, while Jacobs who scored 406 runs with two centuries and one half century and Van Tull who took 35 wickets with his left arm spin, were the recipients of trophies.

ECC’s Drepaul and his teammate former West Indies Under-19 opener Rajendra Chandrika each received a trophy for best all rounder and batsman with the highest score in the competition, with the latter gaining his accolade for his unbeaten 150 in the rain ruined three day final.

Former national middle- order batsman Neil Barry who holds the office of chairman of the GCA’s CDC, moved the vote of thanks, where he congratulated the respective prize winners and urged those who were not successful, to do their best next time around.