…Griffith appointed lead coach

GUYANA Amazon Warriors have confirmed the appointment of Nicholas Pooran as captain for the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season which gets underway on August 26 at Warner Park, St. Kitts. A release, on Monday, stated that Pooran has been part of the Amazon Warriors since 2018 and has scored 437 runs at an average of 31.21. The Trinidadian, who is also the West Indies Twenty20 International vice-captain, had a successful debut to captaincy this year when he led the West Indies to a 4-1 series victory over Australia in St. Lucia. Commenting on the appointment, Pooran stated: “I am really excited to be taking on this challenge with the Guyana Amazon Warriors and want to express my appreciation to the franchise for the confidence they have expressed in me. We have a great team unity going and we support each other fully. I am looking forward to getting our tournament off to a winning start.”

Additionally, teammate Shimron Hetmyer, on Monday, expressed a vote of confidence in Pooran’s ability to lead, stating“As a teammate, he is very good to be around, he lends a lot of support and, as a captain, he does the same as well…he is really a calm guy to be around to give information and he also relays information.”
Likewise, Operations Manager, Omar Khan expressed: “We have enjoyed watching Nicholas grow as a cricketer and a leader during his tenure with Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise and we are looking forward to seeing this journey continue in his role as leader of our team for CPL 2021.”
Additionally, Khan announced that Afghanistan’s wrist-spinner, Waqar Salamkheil, will not be joining the squad due to visa issues and the ongoing travel issues in his homeland.

The Warriors will not replace him and will stick to the 15-man squad for the tournament which ends on September 15.
Meanwhile, former National cricketer and current West Indies assistant coach, Rayon Griffith, has been appointed as the lead Coach.
According to a release from the organisers, on Monday, Griffith is currently in Jamaica with the West Indies Test team and will join the Amazon Warriors squad at the conclusion of that series. Griffith moves up from the rank of assistant coach with the Amazon Warriors after joining the franchise in 2018.
He takes up the mantle from South African Johan Botha, who served as Warriors head coach from 2018 – 2020.

Griffith will be assisted by Strength and Conditioning Coach, Clinton Jeremiah, while there is also trainer, Dr. Jason Pilgrim.
The five-time finalists will play the opening match against defending champions, Trinbago Knight Riders from 10:00hrs.
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ul-Haq, Romario Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.