HAVING arrived in the country 12 hours before his side faced Berbice in an Under-23 clash at the Demerara Cricket Club ground last Friday, national middle order batsman Steven Jacobs was forced to sit out the match which Demerara lost by two wickets.
In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Jacobs said he is looking for an improved performance from his side when they face Berbice in a rematch for the Leslie Amsterdam Memorial trophy at the Albion Sports Club ground tomorrow.
“I think Demerara did not play to their full potential, especially in the batting department where the score they posted on such a good batting track and a small ground was inadequate for the quality batsmen who are in the squad,” stated Jacobs.
The 22-year-old right-handed batsman who played eight first class matches and scored 171 runs at an average of 15.54, was referring to his team’s two-wicket loss to the Ancient County Under-23 side, that netted them the Colin Wiltshire Memorial trophy.
He called on his senior players Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika and Vishal Singh to apply themselves more with the bat, especially on an Albion track that is expected to be low and slow.
“We have an all-round team that has strength in both the batting and bowling line-up, but I am hoping my senior players buckle down and post a decent score for our bowlers to bowl at. I think my presence in the team can make that happen, based on my experience.
We know Berbice irrespective of what age group, whether it is Under-15 or senior, play good cricket at home as they know the pitches well and with players in Eugene La Fleur, Seon Hetmyer, Krisendat Ramoo and Keon Joseph, you cannot go out there and not walk with your ‘A’ game.”
Nevertheless, Jacobs said he is looking to restrict the home team to a decent total if they opt to bat first, while at the same time post one that would be unreachable at the end of 40 overs.
The Demerara team had a minor setback yesterday, when they turned up at the DCC ground for a net session and found a Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Ministry of Education Inter-school Under-15 contest under way, which, according to Jacobs would not deter the team from achieving their goal, which is to beat Berbice Under-23 and bring the Leslie Amsterdam Memorial back to Georgetown.
Asked to comment on his form ahead of the GCB/El Dorado senior Inter-county tournament, Jacobs said he was in fine form following his last two innings in the just concluded Airtel Champions League in South Africa.
“It’s only obvious that I am looking to break into Guyana’s limited overs side, but that’s a decision the selectors would have to make. However, if given the opportunity, I do intend to go out there and do my best.
I have not had the opportunity to lift a bat since I returned. I wanted to play on Friday, but was too tired both mentally and physically to do so and I don’t like going into something knowing that I cannot give 100%” said the Malteenoes Sports Club first division skipper.
He added; “My next option was the GCA first division match against GNIC, which I had my mind on, but then I received word that the GCB Inter-county tournament would be commencing on Saturday and if I am selected to play for Berbice, I would not be in a position to finish the game for my club.
Certainly, some others may have taken advantage of such a situation, just to get a field in the middle, but I prefer to give a youngster a chance, than to go in and only give my club 45% or 55% instead of the whole 100% and beyond that I am accustomed to giving.
I won’t be bothered by such, as I plan to adjust myself as quickly as possible and get the show on the road for at the end of the day, cricket must be the winner at all times.”
The Demerara team for the game will be chosen from:  Steven Jacobs (captain), Rajendra Chandrika (vice vaptain), Vishal Singh, Trevon Griffith, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Travis Blyden, Elton Baker, Joseph Perry (wicketkeeper), Totaram Bishun, Amir Khan, Videshwar Lall, Andre Stoll, Kellon Carmichael, Wasim Haslim and Surujpaul Deosarran. Manager is Raymond Barton (626-0223) and coach is Gavin Nedd.
Players are asked to assemble at the DCC ground at 06:00 h tomorrow morning for transportation to Berbice, as the buses depart at 06:30 h.