THIRTY-five-year-old former Essequibo fast-bowling all-rounder Ryan Hercules is the Head Coach of the Guyana Harpy Eagles, taking over Ryan Griffith who was elevated to the West Indies team.
Hercules joined Guyana’s Coaching staff in 2022 as an Assistant to Griffith and with Guyana’s 13th First-Class title under his belt last April, the Essequibian has the tough assignment of ending this Country’s 19-year barren run in the 50-over format.

The Guyana team depart these shores on Sunday for the Regional Super50 in Trinidad, hunting its 10th title and the first since Neil McGarrel dumped Bajan left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn out Bourda in near darkness to give Guyana the 2005 KFC Cup.
“Well, I can’t speak from 2005 up to 2021 since I was appointed head coach in 2022. What I can say is that we placed third in 2022 so we are getting into the semis. It’s just a matter of pushing the extra mile and playing smart cricket to get over the finish line,” said Hercules who also played in England and Australia.

Since 1980, when Guyana won it first title, they have reached the final on 17 other occasions, the last being in 2021 when they lost to home team Trinidad and Tobago.
There was an Inter-County tournament which was used to pick this team which will clash with the Windwards at the Brian Lara Academy from 13:00 hours on Tuesday in the opening round.

But Hercules, who played U-19 cricket for Guyana in 2017, does not see the inter-county as preparation.
“I don’t really see it as part of the preparation for the team but just a competition. We look at players and see how the tournament is managed and what the players bring to their game and if it is aligned to what we are looking for as a franchise,” opined Hercules who played for Essequibo U15, U19 and senior team.

“Our biggest worry is our batting…the batters must bat for long periods and rotate the strike so we can decrease the dot ball percentage. We all strive high on confidence…every player and support staff. We know it’s a title we have not won in quite some time so that’s at the back of our minds but nevertheless we are going in with great expectations like any other team,” added Hercules who started his journey as a cricketer at the Parika/Salem Sports Club at the age of 13.

Guyana will be without five senior players; Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd and Shemar Joseph who are on West Indies duty in Sri Lanka.
“Yes, we would miss them around the team and what they can bring to the group but it’s also a perfect opportunity for other players to show their worth and showcase their talent at the first-class level,” informed Hercules who served as assistant coach of the Guyana Senior Female and Guyana under-15 teams

“In terms of achievement, once the team’s does well, that is a good feeling for me. Players being successful getting into a West Indies (team) or going forward playing in franchise cricket… But in terms of my progression, I want to be a regular in the national set-up, and I’m even looking forward to being in the West Indies set-up in the future,” Hercules disclosed.