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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 22, 2018
Packed cricket season in Berbice forthcoming AFTER a two-year absence of any major Inter-club cricket action in the Ancient County, the newly-elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster, is urging all cricket clubs to prepare for a packed cricket season. Foster indicated that teams would be involved in tournaments at the junior, senior and females levels, as he urged clubs to get their teams and respective venues in shape. Foster stated that cricket would be played
at the schools, while tournaments would also be played in each of the sub-associations at the second division level in an effort to support the development of village cricket. He further mentioned that clubs must register with the Berbice Cricket Board. Foster, who served as chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board Special Events Committee from 2007 to 2014 disclosed that, barring the weather, cricket matches would start by mid-March. The BCB since Sun-
Newly-elected Berbice Cricket Board president Hilbert Foster
day’s electoral process has already received commitment for six major tournaments. The BCB would also be working with the Ministry of Education to organise tournaments and coaching programmes for primary and secondary schools. Further, a comprehensive coaching programme, including the hosting of a Berbice Cricket Academy, is on the cards for 2018. The Under-15 tournament would be played two innings per game while the Under-17, Under-19, Un-
der-21 and Females would be 50 overs per side. First division would benefit from at least five T20 cricket tournaments in addition to limited overs 40 and 50 overs cricket. P l a n s a re a l s o o n stream for various Berbice teams at the different levels to tour Guyana as part of the developmental programme. The BCB would also be putting together a pool of cricket coaches to visit different areas to work along with clubs to develop new talents.
While the emphasis in 2018 would be cricket on the field, the BCB would also be undertaking several off-the-field activities including Annual Review Magazine, Cricket Academy, Award Ceremony, First Aid Clinic, Elite Training Programme and the publication of Cricket Educational Materials. Foster, committed himself to being a president for all Berbicians and stated that under his leadership all clubs, players and officials would be treated equally.
Russell reiterates desire to represent Windies in limited overs format … available for Windies-A tour to England
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – All-rounder Andre Russell has dismissed claims about his lack of commitment to West Indies cricket and has again reiterated his desire to represent the Caribbean side in the limited overs format. The 29-year-old was one of four Windies players, along with Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine, who were criticised after opting out of selection for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe starting next month.
president, coach, directors, captain and I explained to them this is going to be the situation. Because I’ve been out of cricket for 14 months and to be coming back in at a crucial point when West Indies need to qualify for a World Cup … I didn’t want to hinder someone else who would be more match-ready and (to) disadvantage the team.” He continued: “So all suggestions out there that I purposely didn’t want to play for West Indies are not
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell
However, Russell said he had explained to Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials that having just spent a year away from the game serving an anti-doping whereabouts ban, it was important he first worked his way into match readiness. “I’ve seen the comments bashing me, saying that I am not interested in playing for West Indies and (had) turned my back on the team. I would never do that. West Indies made me who I am at this moment and I’m not going to burn my bridges,” Russell told the India-based Firstpost. “I had reached out to the
true. “I told them (board) that further down in (the) year I would love to be back in (the) team in that colour and have that badge over my heart.” In announcing the squad for the March 4-25 qualifiers, chief selector Courtney Browne seemed to take umbrage with the quartet’s decision not to stand for selection stating, “(They) indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League.” Russell, one of the most sought after players in the international Twenty20 cir-
cuit, will turn out for Islamabad United in the PSL which bowls off today. He will also feature for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League starting April, and praised the franchise’s input in his return to competitive cricket. “However, I feel good to know that having been out for so long, I am still a top priority to the Caribbean (side). It means a lot, but at the end of the day I am a fair person and I want to start off slow,” the Jamaican explained. “These Super50 games I’ve played – it was good that KKR remained part of my comeback process and sent a sports therapist to assist me in the tournament to make sure I was in top physical condition and I thank them for that. “These are sort of things going on behind the scenes. If I was playing some competitive cricket before the squad-selection, when they (West Indies selectors) approached me, then I would say yeah, I am ready for it (playing qualifiers).” Russell, however, stressed that his focus at the international level would be in the limited overs format as his dodgy knee would continue to make Test cricket difficult. And as a sign of his commitment, Russell said he had already made himself available for the West Indies-A tour of England later this year. “From the six games I’ve played in Super50, I don’t see any change in my knee,” he noted. “In the year-out I have done work on my knees, trying to get stronger in my legs but it may be something I may have to retire with. “Test cricket I think will
be too much. Right now I just want to make sure I can handle white-ball cricket. So I won’t say I’m not interested in Tests, but that’s one to re-evaluate in the future.
“Yes, I made myself available for A-team tour to England, if they pick me fine. I don’t have a problem using that platform before getting back into the senior
team.” Russell has scored 985 runs and taken 64 wickets in 51 One-Day Internationals and also played 43 T20Is.
Lynn set for further assessment on dislocated shoulder Australia batsman Chris Lynn will not play in the Pakistan Super League after dislocating his right shoulder against New Zealand.
CHRIS Lynn is set for further assessment on the dislocated right shoulder he sustained during Australia’s Twenty20 tri-series final victory over New Zealand on Wednesday. The electric Lynn was unable to bat in Australia’s 19-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method after injuring himself while diving to field the ball at Eden Park. Lynn was supposed to travel to Dubai to play for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, but will instead return to Brisbane. However, he hopes to be fit to start the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders in April. “I’m disappointed to not go to the Pakistan Super League as planned, but I’ll now focus on rehabilitation and working as hard as I can, with the hope to still take part in the Indian Premier League
later this year,” Lynn said via a Cricket Australia news release. Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris added: “Chris dislocated his right shoulder after landing awkwardly on it when fielding the ball. “His shoulder was able to be put back into place at the ground and he was consequently sent for x-rays which revealed no major bone injury. “At this stage Chris will
not travel to the Pakistan Super League in Dubai. “He will return to Brisbane to undergo further scans and assessment and from there we will have a better understanding of the ongoing management, along with the return to play timeframes.” It marks a fresh blow for Lynn, who has had three surgeries on his left shoulder throughout his career, the last of which came last July.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday February 22, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) Steve Bucknor-128 Tests (1989-2009) (2) Rudi Koertzen-209 ODIs (1992-2010) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams contested the CWI Regional Super50 Tournament 2018? (2) Which were the non-traditional Caribbean teams? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE