… First game starts today at Providence

By Sean Devers

HISTORY will be made today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence when a Guyana U-13 cricket team join Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados as only Regional Cricket teams at U-13 level.
The Guyanese ‘Babies’, led by Transport Sports Club’s Brandon Henry, begins a four-match 40-over series against T&T U-13s, captained by Zakariyya Mohammed, from 10:00hrs today at Providence.

Despite being set in the middle of the Christmas and rainy season with a 70 percent chance today, Providence is the only venue where cricket is likely to be played.
If the rain stays away today a keen contest is anticipated and will be broadcast live on YouTube with the commentary being done by some of Guyana’s premier cricket broadcasters.
With schools being closed for the Christmas vacation, students from schools, especially primary schools on the East Bank of Demerara and their parents are being encouraged to come out to witness the Nursery of West Indies on show.

Trinidad & Tobago last played at this level against Barbados eight years ago and it is good that the T&T-Guyana series has been organised by GCB and TTCB as Regional U-13 cricket returns.
T&T will be spearheaded by Zakariyya Mohammed, a wicketkeeper-batter from the K, Rampat Cricket Academy while the Guyanese batting will centre on DCC’s little left-hander Lemar Seecharran and Essequibo’s Ravid Fredericks at the top of the order.

Berbice U-15 batter and vice-captain Richard Ramdeholl; Essequibian Ethan Silas, the nephew of USA-based Guyanese boxing champion Elton Dharry; and DCC’s Makai Dowlin, the son of former West Indies Test batter Travis Dowlin, should offer batting support.

The fast-bowling will come from Malteenoes’ Thierry Davis, Berbician Raffel McKenzie and Darrius Pearson of Essequibo while skipper and Demerara U-15 left-arm spinner Henry will spearhead the spin attack while U-15 Inter-County leg-spinner Rayaz Latiff will also be depended on with the ball.
Dowlin and Silas are also useful part-time leg-spin bowlers.

Teams:
Guyana – Brandon Henry (captain), Richard Ramdeholl (vice-captain), Ravid Fredericks, Ethan Silas, Lamar Seecharan, Mohamed Balle, Khush Seegobin, Nathaniel Ramsammy, Makai Dowlin, Rayaz Latiff, Tameshwar Deonandan, Raffel McKenzie, Darrius Pearson, Thierry Davis, Leon Reddy, and Arif Marimutoo; coach Lathman Yadram, manager Rayon Da Costa.

Trinidad & Tobago: Zakariyya Mohammed (captain), Mikaeel Ali (vice-captain), Brian Harricharan, Shaan Ramtahal, Reyad Jerome, Roberto Badree, Ethan Ramcharan, Ra’ed Ali-Khan, Sameer Ramdath, Zion Phillip, Abdiel Boland, Tyler Ramroop, Aaden Owen Jordan Julien, assistant coach Brent Francis, coach Kenneth Samuel, assistant manager Azard Mohammed, manager Peter Padmore.