HAVING highlighted the batsmen’s inability to post big scores in the recently concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 Inter-county tournament, chairman of the GCB’s junior selection committee, Michael Franco-Hyles, has expressed concerns about the batting.
Franco-Hyles’ concerns were mentioned earlier by both Alvin Johnson and Hubern Evans, the appointed manager and coach of the team which is presently encamped at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence located at LBI, East Coast Demerara.
According to the trio, apart from the Berbice pair of Dominic Rikhi and Harrinarine Chattergoon, the two batsmen who were consistent throughout the Inter-county tournament, no other specialist batsman stood out.
Hyles further stated that while it is a plus for the team with regard to some of the bowlers who have been among the runs, it’s the specialist batsmen who should stand out. In the Inter-county tournament, there were a few long innings but nothing to shout about.
Johnson and Evans were high in praise for the bowling department, which they said looks stronger than ever, led by first class pacer Keon Joseph and Essequibo’s Ronsford Beaton.
Apart from the concerns expressed over the batting, Johnson and Evans are also in shock at the fitness level of some of the players, a clear indication that no personal work was done individually, following the completion of the Inter-county tournament.
“During our first week of encampment, we sought to assess the fitness level of the players and it was heavily predicted and confirmed that they did no individual work, hence it was a struggle by some of them during our fitness and strength training,” said Johnson.
The strength training exercise consisted of push-ups, sit-ups and squats, wherein the squad impressed the management team, leaving them astonished with their performances.
They were also asked to undergo an extended indoor net session, which they took to like a fish to water, despite the excessive bounce in the indoor track, while Franco-Hyles took them through a theoretical session on batsmanship.
“The commitment is there as they have shown the willingness to work, based on their added interest in the sessions and this is a plus to the members of the squad who, for the first time ever, were blessed with the presence of all three members of the GCB’s Junior selection panel,” stated Johnson.
He later took time to highlight Guyana’s chances at this year’s tournament which bowls off July 8 when Guyana face Leeward Islands, stating that while it is always good to fancy your chances based on the opposition one must always look at your team and its returning players as well as that of the opposition.
The squad will break the encampment today, but will return for an 18-day encampment from next Monday at the same venue, with both Johnson and Evans looking at the possibility of having a practice match, weather permitting.