Guyanese cricketers wing out for Antigua …
SKIPPER of the Guyana national cricket team Sewnarine Chattergoon is looking to give the country a positive start in their three away matches of the 2010 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)-sponsored President’s Cup competition.

Flanked by manager Carl Moore (left) and coach Ravindranauth Seeram (right), the Guyana 13-man squad took time out to pose for photographer Adrian Narine, prior to boarding the bus for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport yesterday. Skipper Sewnarine Chattergoon is sixth from right.

In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Chattergoon said he is looking to take every advantage given to them in their matches, especially the first one against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) who lost their first round game outright to the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC).

“They (T&T) have been playing good cricket for the past couple of years and for them to lose their first game to CCC, would definitely diminish their confidence, hence I think we stand a very good chance against them and I intend to take every advantage they present to us.”

The 28-year-old Chattergoon, who first captained Guyana in their final round match against Barbados at the Guyana National Stadium last year, echoed the sentiments of president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh, who had earlier said the loss of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan was a big blow to Guyana’s cricket.

“Certainly, Shiv and Ronnie’s loss is a big blow to us as their experience, coupled with that of some other senior players in Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Travis Dowlin and myself, would have served as an asset to the younger guys in the team.

Nevertheless, we still have to fight with or without them and with it being the latter, I expect the younger players to come into the team and perform to the best of their ability, while the senior players offer their support in a big way,” Chattergoon stated.

He continued: “Apart from that, the work that was carried out during the five weeks’ encampment that we had would have served us well. We had lots of sessions, wherein we looked at a lot of things and definitely we will be going into each game with a plan and once we stick to it and execute it right down to the last word, then we can come out victorious in the end.

My aim is to return to Guyana after our first three away games, with a good start and in order for this to happen, it is very important that the senior players, (myself included), take their responsibility and try as hard as possible to assist the younger players on the team.”

When asked about the bowling department which looks fragile, Chattergoon is hoping he gets a good start with the new ball from Esaun Crandon, Brandon Bess and debutant fast bowler Trevor Benn.

“Certainly, Crandon has been around a long time and he knows what is expected of him, so it’s evident that he will be expected to lead from the front, with worthy support from both Bess and Benn who are two promising fast bowlers.

With Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul taking care of the spin department, with support from Deonarine and Fudadin, I think we have the artillery to rout the opposition twice, even though it did not look that way in the practice matches we had,” added Chattergoon.

Chattergoon has expressed confidence in the team, especially his opening partner Rajendra Chandrika who replaced Sarwan in the 13-man squad and is in fact looking forward to batting with the 20-year-old opener from Enterprise.

“He is exciting to watch, especially when he gets going. He is a young batsman who is filled with talent, while his form over the past year has been great and I am definitely looking forward to starting things for Guyana with him.

“With batsmen of the calibre of Deonarine, Fudadin, Dowlin and even Royston Crandon to come, I think we can post a total that is good enough for our bowlers to bowl at, hence bringing back some glory to these shores when we return,” said Chattergoon.

The 13-man squad, accompanied by coach Ravindranauth Seeram and long-serving manager Carl Moore, left for Antigua yesterday afternoon, where they will face T&T in a historic day/night encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards ground.

The full 13-man squad reads: Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Vishal Singh, Derwin Christian, Esaun Crandon, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Trevor Benn and Brandon Bess.