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THIRTEEN-year-old Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) member Raymond Perez Jr. yesterday told Chronicle Sport, he was handed a one-month ban by coach of the club, Monty Lynch, following his refusal to execute the duties of 12th man during a first division fixture. “I was named in the club’s squad which was facing Police in a first division game on March 10 and I told the coach I cannot make it on Saturday, since I had house chores to do and he (Lynch) said Ok, Omesh ‘Bravo’ Budhram will come in for me.
“The following day, I got a call from the coach who said I was banned until March 31, since I failed to turn up for the match on the opening day, even though I had told him I was unable to make it,” said the younger Perez, who was in company with his dad, an ardent cricket and cycling fan.
Perez Jr’s ban prevented him from representing Georgetown in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)-organised Under-15 Inter-association 50 overs competition which bowled off yesterday with two matches at the Demerara Cricket Club and Wales Community Centre grounds.
The older Perez questioned the coach’s action at such a critical time in his son’s career, calling it unjustifiable, after he lodged an appeal to the club, with the aim of having justice.
“How can a coach ban a 13-year-old for a period as was meted out to my son, even though he gave a reason for his absence the day before?” asked Perez Sr.
When contacted for a comment, Lynch, who appeared stunned at the news that the Perez duo had make contact with the press over the incident, declined to comment but said in a soft tone the matter is an internal one which is being handled by the executives of the club.
Meanwhile, an anonymous source at the club, which is the oldest in Guyana at 155 years, applauded Lynch for the stance he took, while saying insularity in cricket management needs to be stamped out.
“I believe that the work which is being done by the coach of this club is a very good one. Not only have we begun to lift trophies, but he is teaching the youngsters etiquette, among other things and certainly, what young Perez Jr. did is not in keeping with the club’s expectations of any of its members.”
Referring to national coach Esaun Crandon’s comment earlier in the week, when he said “Guyana’s batsmen lack the mental strength to carry on”, something national vice-captain Leon Johnson readily admitted. The source said Lynch is instilling such an attitude into his players.
“How would he (Perez Jr.) feel if a player refused to bring him a bottle of water while he is in the field, whether he is fielding or batting? It all starts somewhere and I stand with the coach 100% on this issue, which the executives of the club will meet and deliberate over sometime soon.”
“The following day, I got a call from the coach who said I was banned until March 31, since I failed to turn up for the match on the opening day, even though I had told him I was unable to make it,” said the younger Perez, who was in company with his dad, an ardent cricket and cycling fan.
Perez Jr’s ban prevented him from representing Georgetown in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)-organised Under-15 Inter-association 50 overs competition which bowled off yesterday with two matches at the Demerara Cricket Club and Wales Community Centre grounds.
The older Perez questioned the coach’s action at such a critical time in his son’s career, calling it unjustifiable, after he lodged an appeal to the club, with the aim of having justice.
“How can a coach ban a 13-year-old for a period as was meted out to my son, even though he gave a reason for his absence the day before?” asked Perez Sr.
When contacted for a comment, Lynch, who appeared stunned at the news that the Perez duo had make contact with the press over the incident, declined to comment but said in a soft tone the matter is an internal one which is being handled by the executives of the club.
Meanwhile, an anonymous source at the club, which is the oldest in Guyana at 155 years, applauded Lynch for the stance he took, while saying insularity in cricket management needs to be stamped out.
“I believe that the work which is being done by the coach of this club is a very good one. Not only have we begun to lift trophies, but he is teaching the youngsters etiquette, among other things and certainly, what young Perez Jr. did is not in keeping with the club’s expectations of any of its members.”
Referring to national coach Esaun Crandon’s comment earlier in the week, when he said “Guyana’s batsmen lack the mental strength to carry on”, something national vice-captain Leon Johnson readily admitted. The source said Lynch is instilling such an attitude into his players.
“How would he (Perez Jr.) feel if a player refused to bring him a bottle of water while he is in the field, whether he is fielding or batting? It all starts somewhere and I stand with the coach 100% on this issue, which the executives of the club will meet and deliberate over sometime soon.”
