DESPITE the absence of all-rounder Lennox Cush (overlooked) and middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine (injured), a confident-looking Guyana left these shores yesterday to defend their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Caribbean Twenty20 title from tomorrow.
In an invited comment with the media personnel on hand, inspirational skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan noted the absence of both Cush and Deonarine from the lineup, but at the same time looked to the positive side when he declared it was an opportunity for a younger player to grasp.
“Certainly, both Cush and Deonarine would be missed, based on their individual contribution to the team. Nevertheless, I also think that it presents an opportunity for another young player and let us just hope that they grab it with both hands,” Sarwan posited.
Even though Deonarine is unavailable, Sarwan and coach Rabindranauth Seeram will have at their disposal the services of dependable West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Asked about his tactics for achieving a second successive CT20 title, the 30-yea-old Sarwan who led Guyana’s batting aggregate the 2010 Airtel Champions League when he amassed 144 runs from four innings, said they will be taking each game one step at a time.
“We just have to take it (the tournament) one step at a time, while our main objective is to win six games. I don’t think I could ask for more from the players. Even though we had bad weather, everyone really put in the effort and I was really pleased, so it is just a matter of trying to stick to our game plan and hopefully we will be able to do it on a consistent basis.
“I want for us to play well as a team. I am not too focused on me personally (but) of course it would be good if I do well in the tournament but I think the picture is much bigger and that is important.”
Asked to relate the mood in the camp following the team’s dismal showing in the CLT20, Sarwan, the right-handed, recalled West Indies middle-order batsman said the tournament is not of importance at the moment, as it is a closed chapter in their lives.
“We are not even thinking about Airtel. I think it is a process and I think we should focus on what’s ahead of us and that is retaining the CT20 championships,” he explained.
Director of Sport within the National Sports Commission (NSC) Neil Kumar was on hand to see the team off and encouraged them to do their best, while letting them know that all Guyanese around the world would be rallying behind them.
The full 14-man squad, from which the final 11 would be chosen to face Jamaica at the Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua tomorrow night, reads: Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Travis Dowlin, Richard Ramdeen, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Steven Jacobs, Jonathan Foo, Royston Crandon, Christopher Barnwell, Derwin Christian, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Andre Stoll and Esaun Crandon.
The coach is Rabindranauth Seeram while Carl Moore will execute the duties of manager once again.