– Looknauth replaces Persaud, Cadogan in for Smith

Under the leadership of new Captain Kevlon Anderson the Guyana Harpy Eagles arrived in St Kitts yesterday as they prepare to defend their regional four day title from Wednesday.
The Harpy Eagles team will open their defence against the Trinbago Red Force, a team searching for their first four-day title since 2005.

The Guyanese, already without some of their big-name players due to West Indies and T20 league commitments, were forced into further changes before their departure.
The National Selectors have had to make two changes.

Akshaya Persaud, who will be playing for CCC, has been replaced by fellow West Demerara player Richie Looknauth.
Off-spinner Looknauth who, like Persaud, plays from Everest in GCA cricket, was a replacement for injured pacer Ronsford Beaton in the Regional Super50 tournament.

Fast bowler Nial Smith was injured during the training camp and has been replaced by Essequibo quickie Neiland Cadogan in the touring party.
The 28-year-old Smith who has 47 wickets from 18 First-Class matches, is likely to return to the team during the tournament which has been extended from five to seven rounds.

According to well-placed sources, with West Indies no longer in contention for a place in the ICC U-19 World Cup Semi-finals, efforts were being made to get pacer Isaiah Thorne to fly from South Africa to St Kitts.
“However we were informed that Isaiah had to have at least one week of rest before playing any cricket,” said the source, who informed that the lively 18-year-old is expected to arrive home tomorrow.

New Test fast bowling sensation Shamar Joseph has also returned home nursing a toe injury which has resulted in him missing the T20 league in Dubai.
The 24-year-old has gotten a T20 contract in Pakistan with the team which will be Coached by the West Indies ‘white ball’ Coach Darren Sammy.

Joseph, who says he wants to play Test cricket (West Indies have just five more Tests to for the year and none in close to six months) should be back for Guyana’s last two First-Class games in Jamaica in April.
Tevin Imlach, Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie should return from Australia in time for Guyana’s third-round game against the Windwards in St Kitts.

The out-of-form Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kevin Sinclair have returned from the Test series in Australia and are a part of Guyana’s contingent to St Kitts.
Guyana Harpy Eagles squad: Matthew Nandu, Raymond Perez, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kevlon Anderson (Capt), Kemol Savory, Kevin Sinclair, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Neiland Cadogan, Anthony Adams, Renaldo Ali- Mohammed