FORMER vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and president of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Alvin Johnson, yesterday saw it fit to voice his opinion on the axing of energetic fast bowler Trevor Benn from the Cinderella County cricket team which recently contested the GCB’s four-team limited overs tournament. In a press release sent to Chronicle Sport, Johnson, who also held the office of manager of the national Under-19 team for a number of years, said the ECB misled its followers in their article captioned ‘ECB and Trevor Benn clarify issue’ which was published in the Kaieteur News on Monday  October 17.
According to Johnson, such an article would leave the readers to believe that Benn, who was selected to the Guyana team for last year’s Regional four-day tournament but did not play any game, had a problem with the ECB resulting in his non-selection and later resignation.
“The release they sent out did not clarify anything between the ECB and Benn, neither did Benn made amends with the ECB at the meeting that was called to look into his resignation.
“I was present at the Executive meeting held on Saturday, October 1 when the matter was raised with the consensus being that there was no just reason for Benn’s omission and that the selectors got it all wrong,” stated Johnson
He added, “A special meeting with Benn and the ECB Executives was subsequently held on Tuesday, October 11, which I attended as Chairman of the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee and also in my capacity as president of the Parika-Salem Sports Club, the two entities Benn represents with pride.
“The outcome of that meeting showed the selectors erred by omitting Benn, following which Benn expressed his embarrassment which led to his resignation which he refuses to withdraw, even though some felt he still was needed and is very much a part of Essequibo’s cricket.”
Johnson said that many persons who know Benn, know him to be a hyperactive cricketer whose aggression, taunting and body language sometimes annoy the opposition and while he needs to tone down at times, he (Johnson) was willing to influence Benn to withdraw his resignation in the interest of Essequibo’s cricket.
When contacted, Johnson said he was unaware of Benn withdrawing the resignation, but feels he is inclined to do so with the right persuasion, while efforts to contact Benn for a comment proved futile. Johnson also said he would love to see Benn represent Essequibo once again and he is willing to extend an olive branch to the energetic fast bowler. (Calvin Roberts)