Friday February 08, 2019
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
Gayle returns, Pooran set for debut but no Russell St John’s, Antigua, CMC – Veteran opener Chris Gayle has made a return to the oneday squad for the first time in seven months after being named yesterday in a 14-man West Indies squad for the first two One-Day Internationals of the five-match series against England starting later this month. The 39-year-old is joined by opening partner Evin Lewis who has also been included following a similar length of absence, while uncapped attacking lefthander Nicholas Pooran is set to make his debut after finally getting the attention of selectors for the 50-overs format. Off-spinner Ashley Nurse is the fourth change to the squad that toured Bangladesh last December, returning to the lineup after recovering from injury. Chandrapaul Hemaj, who scored 12 runs in two innings against Bangladesh, has been dropped along with fellow batsmen Kieran Powell and Sunil Ambris, with allrounder Carlos Brathwaite also left out. Veteran right-hander Marlon Samuels has been omitted due to injury. The series is the penultimate one before the ICC 50-overs
Nicolas Pooran © WICB Media/ Brooks LaTouche Photography Ltd World Cup starting in May and chief selector Courtney Browne said it would provide an ideal gauge of the squad’s preparation. “As we continue our Cricket World Cup preparations, the upcoming series against the top ranked ODI side is a great opportunity for us to gauge where we are as a team,” Browne said. “This allows us to identify any areas that need addressing relating to selection and also helps the coaching staff to fine tune their game strategy. “We welcome the return of Chris Gayle who missed the last
Evin Lewis © WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photography two series and Ashley Nurse from injury. We are pleased to introduce Nicholas Pooran to the ODI cricket for the first time. He is clearly a young player with undoubted talent and we believe he can add value to our middle order.” Gayle and Lewis featured in the three-match home series against Bangladesh last July but missed the tours of India and Bangladesh in the latter part of the year. Both have continued to play in
various Twenty20 leagues, however. Pooran, meanwhile, forced his way into the squad with prolific scoring in the Super50 last October when he averaged nearly 49 for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. He has also scored heavily in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League to follow up his decent form against India and Bangladesh last year. All-rounder Roston Chase, meanwhile, has been retained despite gathering
Chris Gayle just 49 runs in three innings against Bangladesh last December. There is no room for explosive all-rounder Andre Russell who missed the tours of India and Bangladesh but is currently plying his trade in the Bangladesh Premier League, while off-spinner Sunil Narine remains on the sidelines after playing his last ODI over two years ago. West Indies take on India in the first two ODIs at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on February 20
and 22. SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas. In: Jason Holder, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran. Out: Marlon Samuels, Roston Chase, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Carlos Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Sunil Ambris.
BCB launch Dr. Puran Singh National Players Incentive Scheme Berbice Junior and Female cricketers who are selected in Guyana Cricket Teams would benefit for the second successive year from a stipend from the Berbice Cricket Board, (BCB). A release from the BCB says the body has received $200,000 from Barbados based Guyanese Dr. Puran Singh who is the brother of another BCB sponsor, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh. The donation would be used to establish the Dr. Puran Singh National Players Incentive Scheme. BCB President Hilbert Foster who brokered the deal with Dr. Singh, disclosed that all Berbice Under-15, 17, 19 and Female players would receive $10,000 from the Scheme. In the event that more than twenty Berbicians are selected, the Board would stand the costs. The Foster led administration introduced the Scheme last year as part of its ongoing effort to strengthen Berbice cricket. He stated that the major objectives of the Scheme are to assist players financially, to encourage them to excel at the National level and to make sure that every
Niveera Ramnauth, Uma Matadin and Leon Swammy, among others are all expected to vie strongly for places on national teams. Foster noted that the scheme is just one of numerous developmental programmes that would be organised in 2019. Among the others would be countywide Coaching Programme, Coaching Clinics for (batters, fast bowlers, wicket keepers and spinners), Award Ceremony, Educational Posters, Cricket Academy, Social Skills Seminar, First Aid Clinic, Scorers Clinic, Captaincy Seminar and Training of Pre-Level One Cricket Coaches. Additionally, the Board would also be hosting over 30 tournaments at the Under-
BCB President Hilbert Foster (left) receives the sponsorship from Dr. Puran Singh. Berbician is given the opportunity to fulfill his/her full potential. Last year, the BCB was able to obtain funding from Memorex Industries and J.R. Engineering Ltd, for the programme, while using over $150,000 of its own fund. Among the players benefitting in 2018 were
Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Sheneeta Grimmond, Shabiki Gajnabi and Lafona Gilgeous. The BCB President stated that they are confident that the Ancient County would
continue its proud tradition of producing national players of the highest quality. Players the likes of Grimmond, Giddings, Gajnabi, Smartt, Melanie Henry, Campbelle, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Umroa, Seon Glasgow, Isaiah Thorne, Rampersaud Rampertab, Nigel Deodat, Alex Algoo,
13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, Second Division, Intermediate, Female, Primary School, Internal Zone and First Division levels. Dr. Puran Singh in brief remarks stated that he was delighted to be associated with Berbice cricket as he was pleased with the progress being made in the county. He expressed confidence that the players would continue to keep the Berbice Flag flying high. Dr. Singh also noted that he would continue to support Berbice cricket once proper leadership is in place. The President and Executive Committee of the BCB is expressing gratitude to Dr. Puran Singh for his support and is looking forward to a long term relationship.