Head Coach hoping for no rain

THE final four-day trial match for the Guyana Harpy Eagles four-day squad is scheduled to commence today in West Demerara.

The defending regional four-day champions are continuing preparation for the 2024 Regional First-Class tournament which bowls off in St Kitts.

After the entire first trial game was washed out at Bourda, last week’s second match was shifted to the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground with two days being washed out.

The facility, which has no electricity or internet, will play host to the third game, weather permitting.

Meanwhile Ryan Hercules, the 37-year-old Guyana Harpy Eagles Head Coach, is looking forward to today’s match and hoping for no rain.

Hercules, who played for Guyana at the youth levels from 2003-2007, informed that the adverse weather has affected preparations.

“The weather has not been on our side, just as last year’s beginning of the tournament… with the first game rained out we hope to get a full match at Meten-Meer-Zorg tomorrow,” posited the former Essequibo fast bowling all-rounder.

Hercules, who had stints as a player in England and Australia, has also coached the Guyana Under-15 and senior Women’s teams at regional tournaments.

He spoke about the main issues affecting his side, saying, “From a batting point of view, batters spending more time at the crease and at the same time rotating the strike and scoring runs. For the bowling, fast and spin bowlers need to be consistent and patient … that’s the key words for me.”

“In red-ball cricket if we do the basis right and remain patient, opportunities would present itself and that’s when we need to be ready” added Hercules, who coached the Essequibo Franchise to the ‘double’ as the County won both the three-day and 50-over titles,” he continued.

During the two playable days in the second trial match, Kevlon Anderson’s (122) highlighted the win of the Matthew Nandu XI while Raymond Perez (76*) and Malcom Hubbard (50) were also bright sparks.

Leg-spinner Steven Sankar had 6-52 to follow-up his three wickets in the first innings.

With Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd and Teven Imlach unavailable due ODI and T20I duties for the West Indies and Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer and Shamar Joseph also unavailable for selection, those vying to impress selectors will have a final chance over the next few days.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kevin Sinclar will be available for the first game since they are only a part of the West Indies Test squad.

Defending Champions Guyana play three games in St Kitts, before playing two more in Trinidad while ending with their last two in Jamaica at Sabina Park and Chedwin Park.

The squad is expected to depart for St Kitts on February 5 before their opening game against Trinbago’s Red Force on February 7 at the Conaree ground in St Kitts.