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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 15, 2016
W.I. problems not exclusively about governance - PM Browne
(SPORTSMAX) - Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, believes the struggles being faced by West Indies are not down solely to governance. His comments are among the latest to be aired following disparaging comments about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) made by West Indies skipper Darren Sam-
my, following the West Indies successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in India two weeks ago. Sammy’s comments further fuelled calls for the WICB to be dissolved as has been recommended by an independent committee appointed by the CARICOM Cricket Subcommittee in 2015. But
Browne, who is openly against the recommendation, said dissolving the board could have serious implications. “As far as we are concerned, dissolution will plunge West Indies cricket into further chaos and confusion,” said Browne. “The issues surrounding West Indies cricket were
not exclusively governance issues. I do accept that there are certain weaknesses within the governance of West Indies cricket that must be addressed, but I don’t see how anyone could reasonably suggest that the problem could exclusively be one of governance.” What needs to happen, the prime minister said,
is for each area of West Indies cricket to focus on being better at their specific roles in order for West Indies cricket to rise once more. “The batsmen, they need to focus on making runs; the bowlers need to focus on taking wickets,” said Prime Minister Browne. “They all need to field
properly; coaches need to concentrate on coaching and those who are involved in administration concentrate on administration. I guarantee that if you have that kind of focus, you have greater discipline in West Indies cricket and with that conviction to win by the players, we’ll be at the top of our game.”
Essequibo stage gutsy fightback! … Select Under-17 reached 58-3, batting a second time By Rajiv Bisnauth BERBICE were left to rue three avoidable dismissals late on day two, as Essequibo were staging a gutsy fightback at stumps on the second day of the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-sponsored Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company Under-19 threeday cricket tournament yesterday at Enterprise. When the bails were lifted, Berbice were 71-5, still 175 runs behind in replying to Essequibo’s 246 with their hopes now resting on the shoulders of Joshua
Harrichand (34) and Ritesh Omroa (2). Left-arm spinner Akinie Adams struck three times, while skipper Keemo Paul had two wickets to put their team in pole position after a late start due to a soggy run-up area on the northern end of the ground. Resuming at their overnight 71-2, Essequibo never managed to build up enough momentum to challenge their opposition, as Paul provided the lone resistance on a day of abject surrender by most of their batsmen. Paul, who resumed on 25, never looked in any serious
Keemo Paul leaves the field after his knock of 85.
trouble during his knock of 85, putting on 119 with overnight partner Sachin Persaud before off leg-spinner Prashad (2-25) removed the latter for 17. The West Indies Under-19 all-rounder, however, fell just before lunch after being caught behind off left-arm spinner Joel Seetram (2-63) and upon resumption his Essequibo side suffered a batting meltdown from 180-5 to 204-9 with Ally (4-88) as
the chief tormentor. The last pair of Siddiq Mohamed (21*) and Dwayne Thomas then played positively, taking the attack to the spinners and added 42 for the final wicket before the later was bowled by Nicholas Seenarine. Mohamed was left unbeaten on 21. Paul returned to bowl Trevon Caesar (0) and then to remove Adrian Sukwah (4) by breaking the outside edge with the score at 4-2.
Harrichand, who survived a dropped chance when he was on seven and a run-out chance on 14 along with Matthew Hardial then crafted 45 for the third wicket, as the defending champions fought doggedly to lift themselves out of danger following crippling setbacks after they lost both openers. However, just when the batsmen looked somewhat comfortable, Adams removed both Hardial (14) and
Seetram (0) with consecutive deliveries to leave Berbice at 49-4. Adams then removed Prashad, caught at the wicket for 12. Meanwhile, in the other game at Wales; the Select Under-17 reached 58-3, batting a second time after Demerara were bowled out for 190 in their first innings. The Select Under-17 still trail Demerara first-innings lead of 100, by 42 runs.
German’s Restaurant supports Dolphin Speed Swim Club THE Dolphin Speed Swim Club on Wednesday received an undisclosed amount of financial donation from local restaurant, Germans. The financial donation was in keeping with German’s commitment to support the development of sports. The sum of the donation was not disclosed. The donation was towards the club’s One Day Inter-Club Swim Meet set for April 24 at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal. The competition is expected to see five registered clubs of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association go head-to-head for bragging rights and will also feature some of the country’s elite swimmers.
CEO of German’s Restaurant, Clinton Urling (left), presents cheque to the president of Dolphin’s Club, Paul Mahaica (centre), while another club representative looks on.