-Additional veteran presence crucial to development of youngsters

By Clifton Ross
FORMER West Indies batsman, Assad Fudadin, returns to the Guyana Jaguars mix after a few successful seasons with the Jamaica Scorpions, adding some additional veteran presence amidst the developing Academy and its future stars.
Fudadin, one of the few players to represent the West Indies at the A and Test levels, was named in the Jaguars squad for the practice matches, which bowls off in the latter part of January.
With the Jaguars looking to reclaim their 4-Day title this year, Fudadin, being back in the mix, whether selected or not in the long run, is ideally what the ‘Jags’ younger crop of batsmen need.
A qualified youth cricketer, having tasted intentional competition with the West Indies Under-15 in England, the left-hander also represented both Guyana and the West Indies at the U-19 levels, playing in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup for the West Indies.

The jaguars boast a star-studded group of young players, especially batsmen, some of whom would welcome an extra ‘Windies pro’ in their ranks during their training sessions, as well as to be their role model on and off the field.
Fudadin also remains the only player in the setup to have last tasted a Regional 50-Over title win, having been part of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul-led team during the 2005/6 KFC Cup.
With Chanderpaul retiring and currently serving as the ‘Jags’ batting coach, the only other persons still active currently are head coach, Esuan Crandon and Assistant coach/Manager, Rayon Griffith.
This makes Fudadin’s return to the Jaguars system important, as players could learn additionally from the 35 year-old who has been playing the best limited overs cricket of his career.

During the 2019/2020 edition, the Berbician ended the Super50 tournament with a whopping 345 runs from 8 games played. His average clipped over 43 and his two half-centuries were complimented by a classy 107, making him one of the leading run-scorers then.
Also, with the Jaguars front office looking to constantly develop its next crop of players and those who are currently in the West Indies team, having a familiar face back in the dressing room adds good support to the likes of Skipper Leon Johnson and company.
Also, with a few young Berbicians currently in the Windies team, such as Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd, along with Veersammy Permaul, who just earned a recall after years, being

reunited with their fellow Berbician in Fudadin is good for the advice and off-field developmental aspects of the franchise.
With a more aggressive, fruitful approach to ODI cricket after years of being labeled as a ‘Test’ batsman, due to a sterling first-class and brief, yet successful, Test career with the West Indies, which spanned 3 matches and yielded a half-century, it could be a homecoming this season for the ex-Guyana opener.
Also, should Fudadin manage to perform exceptionally well in the upcoming three practice games, he could possibly find himself back on the Jags’ selectors radar; if not for the 50 overs, definitely as an extra senior option for the 4-Dayers.
Regardless of the outcome, having a tried and tested internationally recognized batsman in the peak of his career back in the fold, could work out great for either the current team or in helping to fine-tune the next crop of future Guyana/West Indies star batsmen.