… Five new faces named in 14-man team

WHEN action bowls off in this year’s Regional Super50, the Guyana Jaguars will be aiming for a 10th regional 50-over title, and with that in mind, the national selectors have announced a strong 14-man squad, including five uncapped players.
The last title was achieved in 2005 when they defeated Barbados in near darkness in the final of the KFC Cup at the GCC ground, Bourda.
Prior to that, Guyana reigned supreme in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2003.

To achieve another milestone, the senior selection panel announced the squad with no real surprises, but, head coach Esuan Crandon in an invited comment yesterday said he is happy with the squad selected and is optimistic about the players giving a good account of themselves during the tournament.

Crandon, the former national fast bowler, is of the opinion that the squad is one of the most well-balanced units, comprising the maximum number of match-winners, and he feels it is the best chance for the Guyanese to bag their tenth coveted title at this level.
“I think we have a good all-round and balanced squad. Obviously we have a lot of players who are frequently in the one-day squad, so the experience is there.
“I think we have a decent mix of players that I’m satisfied and prepared to work along with,” said Crandon.

The left-handed Leon Johnson is once again at the helm, and he will have a bunch of experienced players to call on. Among them is middle-order batting stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Crandon believes the team’s flexibility provided by the presence of batting and bowling all-rounders will be a major asset in the tournament.
“We stand a good chance of bettering last year’s performance. I am confident of doing well and I feel it is our best chance of winning our 10th title at this level,” said the 36-year-old former national all-rounder.

The squad’s new faces are: Jaguars highest run-scorer in the just concluded Regional four-day championship Chandrapaul Hemraj, Ricardo Adams, Ramaal Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford and Clinton Pestano.

The remainder of the squad reads: Shimron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson (captain), Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer, Keemo Paul, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Romario Shepherd.
Meanwhile, the 44th edition of the 50-over tournament will see fixtures played in Barbados (Group A) and Antigua (Group B).

USA’s senior side have accepted an invitation to play in the WICB Regional Super50 tournament, beginning on January 30 in Barbados and Antigua. They will be the only Associate side in the competition; joining the six West Indies franchise teams as well as Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), plus the English county sides Hampshire and Kent.

The Guyana Jaguars will do battle in Group B alongside Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, United States and Kent.
Group A consists of Barbados Pride, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Hampshire.