West Indies ‘A’ looking to build on showing

(CANAnews) - A confident West Indies ‘A’ will be looking to build on their impressive showing last week when they face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the second four-day “Test” starting here Tuesday.

The tourists produced a strong batting effort to take command of the contest before mustering two incisive bowling efforts which nearly took them to victory, as the hosts held on grimly to force a draw.

“The goal in the second game is to continue trying to get better, in terms of how we performed in the first game,” head coach Rayon Griffith said, ahead of the fixture at the Sylhet International Stadium 2.

“It could be a different ball game but we have to go back and assess and try and build – have a good start, have that intent in our cricket and continue that pattern that we played [in the first game].”

Specialist batsmen Kirk McKenzie, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze and Joshua Da Silva all scored half-centuries in the opening “Test”, with tail-ender Kevin Sinclair chipping in with an unbeaten 50 as West Indies ‘A’ piled up 427 for seven declared in their first innings.

Fast bowler Jair McAllister then thrived with a five-wicket haul as the hosts were dismissed for 264. With the follow-on enforced, he picked up another brace of wickets to put West Indies ‘A’ in a strong position to force a win.

“I thought we played well. We had a good start. I think Kirk and ‘Tage’ … played well in terms of leaving the ball and playing balls they needed to play at,” Griffith said.

“And they had a plat- form in terms of setting up a 130-run partnership for the first wicket, which allowed the team to build on that.

“It was pleasing to see we had three 100 partnerships in the batting department, so that is a good sign.”

He continued: “In the bowling department, I was impressed with the seamers – the seamers were actually aggressive. The aggression is what I would take away from the first game, at least trying to be aggressive to the Bangladeshi batters – especially Jair.

“[He] bowled with some pace and actually bowled some good lengths as well.”

Griffith said while there was a layer of grass on the pitch similar to the first game, the surface appeared harder, and this factor would play a role in determining the final XI.

“This one looks dif-

GRFU appoints Butts 7s coach

THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has appointed former 'Green Machine' Captain Claudius Butts, as the under-23 and senior men's Sevens head coach.

This announcement was made last Friday during a press briefing by the GRFU at GT MotorSports on Albert Street and Thomas Lands, and this appointment is timely, since it will give Butts enough time to prepare his troops for the Grenada World Rugby Sevens this December.

Speaking to the media, Butts mentioned that, "Moving forward, it’s going to be a very strange team that will include some very good talent that definitetly need nurturing.

"Off the ground, there are certain aspects I'd like to work on including speed, fitness, decision making and technical support. I'm also looking forward to the full support of all stakeholders."

The Ryan Dey-headed GRFU also announced that Theodore Henry will be continuing as Strength Trainer, while Kevin McKenzie will provide technical support.

Patron of the GRFU, “Kit” Nascimento, ap - ferent to the first game. It is not as dry – it seems to be a lot harder. So it’s a little something we have to think about concerning our combination going into this game.”

The game gets underway at 10am (midnight Monday, Eastern Caribbean time).

SQUADS:

BANGLADESH –

Afif Hossain Dhrubo (captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mohammed Saif Hasan, Md Naim Sheikh, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Irfan Sukkur, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Naeem Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mushfique Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol.

WEST INDIES – pealed for support from the corporate community. He posited that, "We [Rugby] are trying our best to start from scratch, but the main ingredient is financial support from both government and corporate Guyana."

Joshua DaSilva (captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan, Brandon King, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair.

"In our glory days, Guyana had won regional Sevens tournament for four consecutive years, but unfortunately, the sport has faded locally. We want to return to that success."

“Kit” further mentioned that we can produce the best team in the world, but if there is no financing it will all be for nothing.