TRANSPORT Sports Club (TSC) wicket-keeper and batter Shamar Apple is the first player from that Club to be picked for a Guyana senior team.
The left-hander, who turned 16 on June 2, is also the second youngest player to be selected for Guyana at the Regional 50-over level since Ramnaresh Sarwan made his debut in 1996 against Barbados at the Queen’s Park Oval as a 15-year-old.
Ironically, it was Sarwan, as Guyana head selector, who picked him.
“I was in the space gym when I heard the news, and when I got home, I was in tears, so yeah, I was emotional.
Playing for Demerara in the Inter-County was very joyful, being around the senior guys like Tevin Imlach, and the others were very good to me as a youngster,” informed an elated Apple.
“When I am over there (in T&T), I want to make good use of my opportunity and try my best to be on the stats table.”
Apple has scored about four centuries in his career, but his
most memorable innings in his youth career was playing in Trinidad when he scored a hundred last March.
His other centuries were at the U-17 level (two in the
Mayor’s Cup 100 overs) and another in the DCB Inter-Association competition.
In last year’s Regional U-15 tournament in Antigua, Apple
scored the most runs for Guyana.
Although he is selected as a batter, Apple says he really loves
keeping wicket and could be the second keeper to Kemol Savory.
When asked about his goals in Trinidad later this month,
Apple said, “My dream is …by God’s grace…is to perform well
for my country.”
He added that he thinks his strengths are playing the right shots and hitting the ball really hard.
Apple, an orphan, has overcome several hurdles in his young
life and is now the best 16-year-old wicketkeeper/batter in
Guyana. He lives with his Aunt in Seaforth Street, Campbellville.
He lived with a family in Lamaha Springs before he was sent to the Child Protection Agency.
At 13, Apple escaped from the orphanage and went to live
with his aunt’s sister on the East Bank.
“I went back to live with my Aunt, who worked on a ship and knew I always liked cricket.
I would hit bricks with a piece of wood every time I was sent
to the shop.
One day, my Aunt saw me hitting the ball with a pipe and she
took me to Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown,”
continued the talented young batter who soon joined
Transport Sports Club (TSC) in Thomas lands.
Apple was not always a wicketkeeper. According to his coach, Shaun Massiah, the youngster came to the Transport as a bowler.
Nobody answered, so I asked Shamar if he would do the job,
and that’s how he started wicket-keeping,” disclosed Massiah.

“I have been coaching Shamar since 2020/2021, during the
COVID pandemic, when he joined the club through a
connection with my good friend, Romario Samaroo, after I
met Shamar in the orphanage.
Shamar is attending Computer World School in Kitty, where
he is doing Mathematics and English Language. He also does
Maths online with a tutor.” Informed Massiah.
“My Favourite batter is Sherfane Rutherford…that’s what
they call me… I bat just like him,” posited the very confident
and garrulous young man.
Apple enjoys sitting at home watching old cricket matches.
I want to see more talented players in Guyana go places in
cricket and more cricket played in schools”, concluded the
pugnacious Apple.