… as T20 team wing out for Barbados
THE Guyana cricket team under skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan depart these shores today for Barbados, where they will engage the Windward Islands and the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the first two rounds of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Twenty20 tournament on Friday and Sunday respectively.
The 14-man squad were placed under some strenuous fitness sessions , organised by Technical Development Officer (TDO) and former West Indies fast bowler Reon King, during their two-week encampment period. Added to that, they had swimming sessions at the Colgrain Pool on Camp Street, coupled with several game simulation exercises at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Amidst all of that, persons would be inclined to ask the question, “What to expect this time around” from our national team which includes Sarwan, Lennox Cush, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine and Esaun Crandon.
There is no Mahendra Nagamootoo or Veerasammy Permaul in the lineup and according to coach of the team Ravindranauth Seeram, “our bowling department is vulnerable”.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Digicel Summer Smash tournament which was won by Upper Corentyne’s Free Weekend, was used as a yardstick to select the team.
Unfortunately, some top performers from that competition, such as former West Indies Under-19 skipper Leon Johnson and opener Richard Ramdeen found it difficult to crack into the 14-man squad, along with off-spinner Krisendat Ramoo who was very economical throughout the tournament.
However, players of the calibre of Sewnarine Chattergoon, Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Assad Fudadin, Darwin Christian, Devendra Bishoo, Paul Wintz and Jonathan Foo and Royston Crandon would be completing the 14 man squad.
According to Seeram, the team is made up of a bunch of experienced players mixed with upcoming stars in Guyana’s cricket.
Nevertheless, both Sarwan and Seeram were optimistic of Guyana’s chances at this tournament, with Sarwan stating the camaraderie is the best he has seen in recent times.
“We always did well in the shorter version of the game, even though we have not won a Regional championship after the 2006 team won the 20/20 tournament. However, we are looking to go and emulate that team and bring back home the trophy.
With that in mind, I will be hoping our senior guys who have been there before, such as West Indies players Dowlin, Sarwan, Cush and Esaun Crandon can take the junior players through and at the same time help us bring home the trophy.”
Batting is the strong point for the team that hails from the Land of Many Waters, led by Sarwan, Deonarine, Dowlin and to some extent, Cush, who is a veteran in this form of the game and a perfect example of the word ‘free agent’.
The prize money for this tournament has not been disclosed, but what is known around the region is the victorious team will book for themselves a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Champions League which is set for South Africa in September of this year.
In an invited comment earlier, Sarwan warned his teammates to be against complacency and while he visualised himself leading a national team in the Champions League, he was aware of the fact that they need to take it one match at a time.
That alone depicts the attitude of a man who is hungry for success, knowing that Guyana have not tasted Regional glory at the senior level since the 2006 triumph.
They were denied victory in the 2008 semifinal of the said Stanford tournament by Jamaica who having won that match by one run, lost to Trinidad and Tobago in the final, with the Twin Island Republic going on to represent the West Indies in the inaugural Champions League where they themselves went under to Australia’s New South Wales in the final.
Late last week, Sarwan told Chronicle Sport he is wary of their first round opponents, the Windward Islands, whose lineup includes Darren Sammy, Deighton Butler and the veteran Rawle Lewis.
“They have quite a few experienced players in their lineup, but having played against them before we know what to expect. While saying such, it all comes down to who plays the better cricket on that day and we would not be taking them lightly,” stated Sarwan.
However, he was full of praise for his team who he said are an exciting bunch of players who are very cooperative while displaying the willingness to work hard, with the senior players doing great, and being a motivation to the younger ones.
He looked back at the championship-winning 2006 side who played as a team to come out on top, with support from all quarters and believes that once this team do the same to the best of their ability, they too can come out on top.
Like Sarwan, Seeram is of the opinion, the team can be victorious once they stick to the basics and execute at the right time.
Many captains and coaches have left these shores in the past, promising success and what we got was mediocre performances, irrespective of who is at the helm.
This time around, all of Guyana will be waiting patiently to see what success will be had by this team, especially with a gloomy future being forecast for the GCB late last week by its treasurer.
What can we expect this time around? Be my guest and wait and see. After all, what else can we do other than wait and see.
Guyana – Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Christopher Barnwell, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Derwin Christian, Lennox Cush, Royston Crandon, Devendra Bishoo, Esaun Crandon, Jonathan Foo, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Assad Fudadin.