GUYANA and West Indies T20 all-rounder Christopher Barnwell last Friday told Chronicle Sport in an invited comment, his stint in the 2013 Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Royal Challengers Bangalore was a successful one.
Taking timeout from a concrete net session at the Lance Gibbs Street-based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) pavilion, Barnwell said the experience gained from this year’s IPL was a wonderful one, even though he was not fortunate to make the final 11 for the RCB.

“It was a wonderful experience, being in India. I didn’t get a chance to play, but I did make the most of the opportunity, being around the senior players, learning a lot from them, picking their brains and learning more about the game that could make me better. It was a wonderful experience all in all.
“If I say I was not disappointed that I did not get to play, that would not be correct, as I was looking forward to playing a few games.
“But you know it is the IPL and you are only allowed to play four overseas players per game, so although I wanted to go out there and showcase my ability, at the same time everyone cannot play, so I had to just go out there and support the team and wish the guys well.”
However, when he was not playing or selected on the 16-man squad roster for any game, the hard-hitting 26-year-old used the time to get much-needed batting and bowling practice.
“Even though you may not make the squad for certain games, you were required to be in the nets practising and working on your game, since you have no idea what would have happened next, as it relates to team selection,” said Barnwell.
He relished the opportunity to rub shoulders with world class players such as AB deVilliers, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Daniel Vettori and the hard-hitting Christopher Gayle, having the privilege of witnessing his world class innings from the dugout.
“Yes, it was a wonderful experience being in the dressing room with those guys. As I was growing up, I watched those players on television and now actually being there with them in a dressing room at the same time was a wonderful feeling for me, one that is hard to explain.”
“Chris’ innings was a very good one to watch. When I went to the ground that afternoon and Chris started to bat, after the second over in which he struck two fours and the rain came, I turned to one of my teammates and said ‘I think Chris is going to give us a hundred today.’
He did give us a hundred, but at that point I didn’t realise it would turn out to be a big hundred. It was fantastic the way he stroked the ball and it was just one of those days as batsman when the ball comes right out of the middle of the bat, and that was a special innings to watch,” stated a smiling Barnwell.
Quizzed on what is next for him, he said without hesitation, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) whose auction takes place in Jamaica tomorrow.
“As it is right now, all I can do is keep my mind focused on doing well in the CPL. As you know, whenever I go out there to compete, I always give 150% and certainly that will not change, irrespective of the franchise I am chosen to represent. All I am looking to do is go out there and give of my best for my team.”
The Guyana-based franchise was awarded two key players in spin wizards Sunil Narine from Trinidad and Tobago and Pakistan’s Mohammed Hafeez, two players Barnwell view as key men in the team’s lineup.
“Everyone knows the feats of Sunil when it comes to T20 cricket. He is miserly during his four overs, while he can also handle himself with the bat, while Hafeez needs no introduction to West Indies cricket, since he has proved himself time and time again.
“What is left to be seen, is the support staff they are given, in order for the franchise team to go out there and compete effectively with the other teams, since cricket is a team game and not a one-man show, for even though one player can singlehandedly win a game for a team, he will need the support of the others in some form or the other.”
Smilingly, Barnwell said he is waiting eagerly to compete in the CPL, adding that he is bubbling over with confidence, with both the bat and ball and cannot wait to showcase his talent to the T20 loving fans in the Caribbean once again.