By Elroy Stephney

FORMER president of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Prince Holder, has come out in defence of West Indies one-day international fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, in the wake of his ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the recent comments made by the president of the Guyana Cricket Board, Fizul Bacchus.

Holder, who is also the president of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee, disclosed that Beaton remains a huge inspiration to cricketers in Essequibo and indeed across the Region.
He further remarked that the cricketer must be respected during his time of challenges while acknowledging that he needs all the support from every corner of the globe where he would have brought tremendous joy and pleasure to fans.

During an interview with Chronicle Sport, Holder expressed his displeasure with the negative comments emanating from the president of the Essequibo Cricket Board.

“It is unfortunate that the head of a county board which Beaton would have represented would make such insensitive statements about one of his charges,” Holder lamented.
He further reasoned, ‘Beaton is no angel, but I can vouch for the fine qualities of the young man, who is a consummate professional and who has worked tremendously hard at achieving his goals.”

“I believe that the president should retract such damaging statements otherwise he is damaging the future of this leading international cricketer and will also further damage his relationship with the board.”

Acting president of the Guyana Cricket Board Mr. Fizul Bacchus was recently reported in the press as claiming that Beaton is undisciplined and doesn’t listen to anyone. His comments have since been criticised by a wide cross-section of the sporting fraternity, including the president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster who, in a letter to the press, has called for the ECB and GCB to apologise to the cricketer.

Beaton was indefinitely banned by the ICC for his bowling action. He will now undergo remedial training and CWI has already engaged the process by selecting him for a bowling camp in Antigua which has commenced.