CAPTAIN of the Guyana national team and West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan yesterday told Chronicle Sport he is wary of the Windward Islands, Guyana’s first round opponents in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Twenty20 tournament.
“They have quiet a few experienced players in their lineup, but having played against them before we know what to expect. While saying such, it all comes down to who plays the better cricket on that day and we would not be taking them lightly,” stated Sarwan.
Sarwan  took some time out from his team’s practice session at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday, to single out a few players from the Windward Islands who he feels can make a difference.
“We know they have some quality players in the likes of Darren Sammy, Deighton Butler and the veteran Rawle Lewis, just to name a few but I have confidence in my team and once we play as a team, we can come out victorious.
“In order to do so, we have to play as a team in comparison to the victorious 2006 side which won the Stanford 20/20 championship in Antigua and with this side I can see a bunch of players who are eager for success.”
“It’s an exciting bunch of players who are very cooperative while displaying the willingness to work hard, with the senior players doing great and being a motivation to the younger ones and that in itself is a great sign as we move forward.
“The 2006 squad played as a team and came out victorious. There were lots of support coming from all quarters of the team, but what I have seen from this side is certainly second to none. It’s the best I have seen from a national team in a long while.”
He was quick to mention, the good camaraderie that is prevailing among the members of the team and while he was not around for a while, he has seen the guys supporting each other in everything so far.
The 30-year-old Sarwan, who is presently averaging 20.53 in Twenty20 cricket, believes the absence of Guyana ’s premier batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has left a hole in the team.
“Certainly, Shiv is irreplaceable in any team, but he had prior engagements which he had to take care of, which meant he would not be able to render his services to Guyana. While his absence would have left a hole in our squad, it also makes way for a young and upcoming batsman to showcase his talent to the Region.
Just to mention as an example, young Jonathan Foo who has been in fantastic form during the just concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Digicel tournament, is an exciting player to watch if he gets the chance to play,” Sarwan stated.
With regard to the fitness level of the players, more so the skipper, Sarwan said the team is in the pink of condition, while he himself is feeling great.
“I am happy with where my fitness is right now along with that of the other players. This morning (yesterday), I did a beep test and I must say that the result was satisfactory and overwhelming from all members of the team.
We are ready and raring to go, with a view of giving Guyana another senior Regional title, having not done so since 2006 when we won the Stanford tournament and this squad is ready to put its hand up and be counted.”
The team will have a simulation match exercise at the Guyana National Stadium today from 09:00 h, followed by a practice game among themselves at 13:00 h at the same venue and tomorrow they return to face the Digicel XI in a T20 affair from 09:00 h.