Twenty-five-year-old Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Corporal, fast-bowling all-rounder Joshua Jones has enjoyed a successful sojourn in English first-division cricket.
The powerfully built fast bowler represented Bilston Cricket Club in Lestershire County after an English cricket agent contacted him via social media and offered him a six-month contract.
Jones informed Chronicle Sport that the English club sent an invitation letter to the Chief of Staff of the GDF, which was approved.
Joshua, who plays for Essequibo at the Inter-County level, is scheduled to return home on September 27.
Jones played 21 games and scored 333 runs, with a highest score of 66. He captured 72 wickets with a best bowling performance of 7-51.
“My first season in England was a very good one for me. I have learnt to be consistent because in the league I played, there were mostly Asians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis…so you had to get it right… had to be consistent at all times. So being consistent was the main thing I have learnt. If you missed your length, those guys would punish you,” posited Jones
“This division is not far from county cricket.
I have seen fast bowlers playing at that level who I feel I can perform better than,” said Jones, who was born in Suddie on the Essequibo Coast.
Jones said that players trained on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, while the 50-over games are played on the weekends. T20 matches were held on Tuesdays.
The GDF all-rounder informed this publication that, under his contract, the overseas players are mandated to coach the children on Thursday afternoons.
“I have been among the Harpy Eagles set-up since 2018 and done well in the inter-county and trial matches, but I have never been offered a franchise contract by the Guyana Cricket Board.
Here, I get paid for cricket and coaching and don’t have to do anything else. Just play cricket, train, coach the kids and sleep,” disclosed Jones, who played for Guyana at the U-19 level from 2016-2018.
The club I played for, everybody was good to me. My first season was excellent. I can’t complain,” Jones disclosed.
“I have worked a lot on my fitness, but I am not 100% where I want to be. The kind of work I wanted to do, I could do due to the weather here.
But I am improving daily, and I am grateful for that. explained Jones, whose contract has been renewed for another year.
‘’My main objective when I get home is to get some rest, do some fitness work, play inter-county and try my best to do well to put myself into contention to get selected and prepare for the regional four-day tournament next year. I am working hard to make my four-day debut and to get a GCB contract next year,” revealed Jones
Jones thanked the Guyana Defence Force for allowing him to showcase his talent.
“Thanks to Brigadier Omar Khan, Commander Burnette, Colonel McAuley and Full Colonel Howell for giving me this opportunity” concluded Jones