– Johnson’s astute leadership will be missed

DEFENDING Regional First-Class Champions Guyana Harpy Eagles will commence their title defense against Trinbago Red Force at the Conaree Ground in St. Kitts on February 7.

Since Rohan Kanhai led Guyana to its first title in 1973, this country has won 11 more titles, including a joint trophy with the Leeward Islands in 1998.

Six of those have been won by the region’s most successful First-Class Captain Leon Jhonson in a dominant spell dating back to the inception of the franchise-based system in 2015.
Guyana, under the leadership of Johnson, won five consecutive titles before the COVID 19 pause; Barbados taking the next two and Guyana returning to win the last installment.

Despite their title defense opening being against a team that has not won a First-Class since Daren Ganga led T&T to their last title in 2005, Guyana will be without Johnson who retired from First-Class cricket last year and has led them for nine seasons.

The 36-year-old Johnson who made his First-Class debut on January 30, 2004, first captained Guyana in 2012 against the Windwards before being appointed Captain for the 2014 season when he missed the first three matches due to injury.
Apart from Johnson, Guyana will be without Vishaul Singh (retired) and Anthony Bramble (not picked).

Also expected to miss the first games are Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motoi, Kevin Sinclair, Shamar Joseph and Tevin Imlach (on West Indies duties).
Guyana play their two matches in St Kitts when they oppose the Leeward Islands from February 14 and against West Indies Academy from February 20. All three Guyana games in St. Kitts will be played at Conaree.

Guyana will then travel to Trinidad where they will face off against Barbados from March 13, before battling the Windward Islands on March 20. Both matches in Trinidad will be played at UWI SPEC.
Guyana plays their final two games in Jamaica from April 10 at Sabina Park before taking on CCC at Chedwin Park from April 17.

After the first Trial was washed out with a ball being bowled the second trial game is scheduled from Tuesday to Friday at Bourda as part of preparations for the 2024 regional tournament.