THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on Friday honoured several of its players who have been drafted into the various national youth squads for the upcoming regional cricket season.During a brief ceremony which doubled as a sponsorship handing over by President of the Club Alfred Mentore, he indicated that the development of youth cricket is something high on the club’s agenda.
“Even up to now, we have our cricketers playing at the first class level, in the Barnwell’s and the Griffith’s and the Paul Wintz’s and others so we still do feature at that level, but the nursery is very important for us to continue that agenda. DCC will continue to look after the nursery.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of West Indies Cricket Board selectors, Clive Lloyd, reminded every player that their development hinges firmly on their shoulders. “Don’t forget that this is a thinking man’s game, the minute that you lapse, and I am saying that if you’re batting, and you say that you want to hit him over there, that means that you’re losing concentration, you’ve gotta play every ball on its merit.
You have to be able to read the game properly and concentrate. Lloyd, the former Guyana and West Indies captain emphasized to the youngsters, who have the option of playing at various levels, driving home the point that they have the option to pick up possible flaws in their techniques and correct them before making the ultimate step of joining the Maroon side.
Club coach Gavin Nedd, looking on at several of his players urged them to remember the basics of what they have been taught and always be focused on the task at hand. He reminded them that he has seen each player grow from strength to strength and urged them to focus on teamwork.
Former players Jamaal Hinkson and Travis Dowlin both encouraged all the youngsters to have more interaction with their senior counterparts.
The 12 players that have been drafted into the various teams include Ashmead Nedd, Alphius Bookie, Sachin Singh, Qumar Turrington, Robin Williams. U17 – Nedd, Sagar Hetheramani, Timothy Mclmont, Raymond Perez; U19 – Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, and Tevin Imlach.

By Stephan Sookram