‘I had no say in selection’ – Guyana Harpy Eagles’ captain

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), on January 20, released the 13-man squad to represent the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the first two rounds of the Regional four-day Championship set to start on February 1.

Since that squad was made public, many persons within the cricket fraternity have expressed outrage over the non-selection of Antony Adams given the absence of Gudakesh Motie, who got recalled to the Test squad.

Appearing on a Barbadian radio programme, Mason and Guest, on Tuesday evening, Harpy Eagles’ captain, Leon Johnson, made a shocking revelation that he had no input in the selection of that squad.

“No, I have not been [part of selection] for the last two tournaments…I am not part of the selection,” he stated when directly questioned on the matter.

However, Johnson clarified that “it has not always been that way…I used to have an input, my opinion was valued.”

In March 2021, a new GCB executive took office and they overlooked the preparation of the four-day and Super50 squads in 2022.

The current senior selection panel, appointed by the GCB, comprises Ravindranauth Seeram (Chairman), Albert Clements (Berbice), Peter Persaud (Demerara) and Elroy Stephany (Essequibo).

Overwhelming efforts have been made by media operatives to gather comments from the members of the selection panel but up to Wednesday afternoon, none was forthcoming thus far.

Johnson, who will be leading the franchise for the eighth season since the Professional

Cricket League for the 201415 season, and was bestowed with the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement award in 2019 for winning five consecutive titles, further revealed that he only learnt he was selected via a post on Facebook, and not through the selection panel.

“I saw the team on Facebook!” the long-standing skipper stated in response to a question on whether he was informed of the squad selected.

“…captains should have an input, if not being a selector directly, being able to make a decision saying I want this player or I want that player, at least some input if you have been playing the game for the better part of 15 years.”

More so, though opting not to directly comment on the non-selection of Adams, Johnson, believed that the Essequibian, who played one First-Class match in 2017, was “close to selection.”

Harpy Eagles depart on January 29 for Antigua to face defending champions, Barbados Pride, from February 1, then Windward Volcanoes from February 8th in Grenada.

CMC – West Indies Women’s depressing losing streak showed no signs of ending as the luckless Caribbean side crashed to a 10-wicket defeat to South Africa Women in their third match of the Twenty20 International Tri-Series here Wednesday.

Not for the first time, West Indies Women’s batting lacked verve and they could only muster an inadequate 97 for six off their 20 overs, after choosing to bat first at Buffalo Park.

Captain Hayley Matthews top-scored with 34 from 26 balls while Shabika Gajnabi struck 33 from 34 deliveries in support.

South Africa Women hardly broke a sweat in reply, chasing down their target in the 14th over with Player-of-the-Match, Tazmin Brits top-scoring with an unbeaten 50 from 43 deliveries and Laura Wolvaardt stroking 42 not out from 39 balls.

The defeat was the eighth on the trot in T20 Internationals for West Indies dating back to their 5-0 whitewash at the hands of England Women in the Caribbean last month.

“It wasn’t a good performance. We didn’t bat well when we batted the first time, not getting what would’ve been a target we were aiming for,” said a dejected head coach Courtney Walsh.

“[We] had a very, very slow start and didn’t pick up any momentum from there until the captain, Hayley, and Gajnabi put together a partnership. This wasn’t good enough.

“It started a bit too , so that tone was set and then South Africa knocked the runs off without losing a wicket. [We were] completely outplayed today.”

Seamer Tumi Sekhukhune (2-24) struck twice to reduce West Indies Women to 29 for four in the 11th over, giving South Africa Women early control of the encounter.

Rashada Williams holed out to mid-off for one with as many on the board in the second over from 22-year-old left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba while Shemaine Campbelle was run out for one by Chloe Tryon’s direct hit at the striker’s end in the fifth over.

When Sekhukhune knocked over Sheneta Grimmond (5) and Britney Cooper (10) in successive overs, West Indies Women were faltering but Matthews and Gajnabi combined in a 61-run, fifth wicket stand to rescue the innings.

Matthews, again batting down the order at number six, counted five fours while Gajnabi, at number five, struck four fours.

They both perished in the final over, however, as West Indies Women’s innings limped to a tame end.

There were no upsets in the making as the 32-yearold Brits lashed seven four and a six and the elegant 23-year-old right-hander, half-dozen fours, as South Africa Women coasted.

West Indies Women will play their final game of the Tri-Series against India Women next Monday.