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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 30, 2018
Guyana Chess Federation pays courtesy call Windies drop Devon on Director of Sport, Christopher Jones Smith for India Tests … recall Sunil Ambris and Alzarri Joseph
Director of Sport Christopher Jones (left) with (from right) Frankie Farley, James Bond and Grand Master Victor Bologan
THE possibilities of the creation of a National Chess Strategy were discussed yesterday when Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) officials paid a courtesy call on Director of Sport, Christopher Jones. The GCF executives were accompanied by Molodovan Chess Grand Master, Victor Bologan. The GCF was represented by its president James Bond and vice-president Frankie
Farley. The National Chess Strategy is aimed at fostering the growth and development of the board game in Guyana. Grand Master Bologan committed to assisting the GCF with the Chess in Schools Programme by providing access to materials, inclusive of books and DVDs to ensure success in the programme’s execution.
Crandon elated at WI ‘B’ team coaching job … Bramble to lead squad in Canada Cricket Summerfest tournament
By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA’S most successful First-class head coach, Esaun Crandon, was given the responsibility of coaching the West Indies ‘B’ team at next month’s Canada Cricket Summerfest tournament. This was announced by the Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies last Tuesday. The team will play a series of four T20s (including a warm-up) along with two 50over matches, and Crandon, the Guyana Jaguars four-time Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day winning coach, said it gives him a proud feeling and an opportunity to be involved in West Indies cricket, an opportunity he is quite pleased about. “Definitely, I’m elated of the opportunity given to me to coach the team. So I’m looking forward to a very exciting tournament with some exciting players in the squad,” the former national cricketer beamed. This tour by the Windies ‘B’ team is the second one to Canada, after they participated in the inaugural Global T20 League in July, where they finished as the losing finalists. However, Crandon is optimistic for a good showing from his team.
“As I said on many occasions, once the team plays as a unit and players execute their plans well; success can be achieved during this tournament.
Anthony Bramble
He added, “I had the opportunity to coach the Guyana Jaguars in 50-over cricket. Obviously we have to go and adjust to conditions as a group and prepare well and execute well as a group. “I have had an opportunity to view the Canada T20 League. I have a fairly good idea about their pitches …, plus we have some guys who will be going back to Canada and they can share their experience with the new guys, so it will be good when we get up there”.
Guyanese Anthony Bramble was named captain of the team while Neil Barry Jr is appointed as the physiotherapist and will be on his maiden trip at this level.
Esaun Crandon
Meanwhile, CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said the upcoming Windies ‘B’ Tour to Canada will provide another opportunity for our young players to gain experience in the shorter formats. “The itinerary comprises both Twenty20 and 50-oversa-side formats and has allowed CWI to have a look at players who are not involved with the ongoing CPL. This tournament has the potential to assist our player-development processes by exposing more of our younger players to more competitive environments,”
Adams said. The full squad reads: Anthony Bramble (captain), Sunil Ambris, Alick Athanaze, Sheeno Berridge, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Derval Green, Jahmar Hamilton, Sherman Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Kimani Melius, Jeavor Royal and Jomel Warrican. Team Management Unit: Esaun Crandon (head coach), Sir Curtly Ambrose (coach), Alexander Forde (strength & conditioning trainer), Neil Barry (physiotherapist) and Avenesh Seetaram (data capturer). SCHEDULE OF MATCHES: August 29 - T20 warmup - Toronto Bear vs Windies ‘B’ - Maple Leaf Cricket Club (MLCC), Toronto September 1 - T20 Canada ‘A’ vs WINDIES ‘B’ – MLCC September 2 - T20 - Canada vs Windies ‘B’ – MLCC September 3 - T20 -Toronto Bears vs Windies ‘B’ - MLCC September 5 - 50 overs/ side - Canada vs Windies ‘B’ - MLCC September 7 - 50 overs/ side - Canada vs Windies ‘B’ - MLCC.
Sunil Ambris
THE West Indies selectors have left out 36-yearold Devon Smith from a 15-member squad, picked to take on India in the twomatch Test series starting October 4. Sunil Ambris has been recalled to the outfit at the expense of Smith, who had returned after three years for the Sri Lanka Tests. Smith scored two fifties in the nine innings he played on return, but in five of the other seven appearances, he managed only single-digit scores. Smith’s axing means that the Windies would return to the opening duo of Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite. Ambris, who usually bats in the lower middle-order, will look to continue his good form from the ‘A’ series where he scored a hundred against the Indian outfit. However, on the international scene he experienced an unceremonious start, getting dismissed hit-wicket before retiring hurt in his second and last encounter. Windies also brought back young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who last played in England last year, while Jomel Warrican arrives to reinforce the spin department, one that has heavily relied on Devendra Bishoo.
Courtney Browne, chairman of selectors, congratulated the team on their recent success in the Test series against Bangladesh. “The panel congratulates Jason Holder and his team on the excellent performance against Bangladesh. As the team embarks on a tough tour of India the successes against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should hold them in good stead during the India series,” Browne said. “The panel welcomes back Sunil Ambris who missed the last couple of series due to injury, along with Jomel Warrican who adds a second spin-bowling option to the attack.” Windies will travel to India on the back of a comprehensive 2-0 series win against Bangladesh. “The last time these two teams met, India won the four-match series 2-0. Prior to that, on their last tour of India in what was Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement series, the Windies were thrashed twice in as many games. Squad: Jason Holder (c), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.