Dear Editor.
Many are asking for answers and have used social media to express their views. But no answer could justify the injustice that was done to ANTHONY ADAMS by his non-selection on the GHE’s [Guyana Harpy Eagles’] squad.
The damage has already been done to an Essequibian cricketer, a young man who is dedicated and has spent most of his life working tremendously hard on his game and fitness over the past 15 years.
A son of the soil who hails from SOUTH Essequibo, ADAMS has been knocking on the doors of the Guyana selectors with his consistence performances in most of the GCB competitions for over a decade.
ADAMS has been competing with some of Guyana’s premier spinners — BISHOO, PERMAUL and MOTIE — all of whom have played regional first-class and Test cricket.
This time, when BISHOO is not around the Guyana set-up and Motie is unavailable due to West indies selection, the majority of cricket pundits who want to be fair on a man whose stats are there to show in all department of his cricket [sic].
ADAMS should have been the left-arm spinner selected, along with Permaul in the Guyana four-day squad for the first two rounds.
The GCB, ECB and the selectors must be held accountable. it is absolute[ly] clear now, from evidence, that the way things are being done, is without any fairness, honesty or integrity.
The president of the ECB, who is a CWI director, seem unconcerned since nothing has been said by the ECB as they remain silent on ADAMS’ non-selection.
These are the words of the ECB president seen in a WhatsApp message. “As an executive of the GCB I cannot go public”
We are now left to wonder what does this mean.
The ECB vice- president and Guyana Senior selector is well known for his letters and articles in the newspapers about Essequibo’s cricket.
He has been especially critical of the previous BOARDS and non-selection of this very player, ANTHONY ADAMS. Where is his pen and voice now?
After looking and listening to their press conference where only three persons from the media were present, there is clear evidence of incompetence and biasness existing in selection with the ridiculous and nonsensical responses given to questions asked on Adams non-selection.
It was very strange what was said by chairman of selectors at the press conference.
The GHE’s Head Coach, when called on for his input as an Essequibian, it seems, found himself between a rock and a hard place.
Having worked as coach alongside ADAMS as Captain, a lot of recognitions was gained after winning both three-day and 50 overs titles at the senior level with the Essequibo team.
With the knowledge of ADAMS’ ability and what he can bring to the team, stronger representations and recommendations should have been made for his place in the team by the GHE’s head coach.
It’s with great concern that we have recognized the kind of representations that is being made by ECB which can now be considered spineless.
It also seems there is a fixed number of TWO players from Essequibo who are allowed in the Guyana squad.
Also when selected, the unfair treatment given to them to make the final eleven.
Just to name a few: Trevor BENN in 2010; Delon Heyliger in 2012; Norman Fredricks in 2015, and Quintin Sampson in 2022. All of whom were selected and NEVER given an opportunity [to] play a single GAME of an entire regional tournament.
The disrespect and injustice to some of our ESSEQUIBO cricketers at the senior level can’t be accepted anymore and must be stopped.
We will be calling on President Ali, VP Jagdeo and Ministers to address the unfair treatments given to some of our cricketers and also the Administration of Cricket by the ECB
PRO and Executive Member
South Essequibo Cricket Committee
Andy Ramnarine
