GUYANA
saturDAY, august 2, 2014
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Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs ready for tense encounter T
wo of last season’s finalists will square off in a crucial encounter in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that could decide the fate of where both teams stand heading into St Kitts for the final leg. Skipper of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team, Denesh Ramdin, commented; “I am happy that my bat-
ting is paying dividends for the Amazon Warriors this season. Over the last 18 months, I have done some work in the nets and I have improved my sharpness and execution of shots to enhance my performance, so I am hoping it will continue for the Warriors and we can go all the way to the final again, this time in St Kitts.” Former West Indies play-
er and Coach, Roger Harper, who is the Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, spoke about the areas of improvement needed for his team. “We have areas to improve on and that is in the field. I believe we can be sloppy at times so we need to get this sorted out as well as seeing that we bat deep into the innings. If these two areas can sync together with
Kumar, GCB congratulate Guyana U-19 team
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irector of Sport Neil Kumar took time out from his busy InterGuiana Games (UGG) schedule on Friday to extend hearty and “deserved” congratulations to the victorious Guyana Under-19 team, as they returned home after being crowned the 2014 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 threeday Champions. Kumar said the team played “extremely good cricket”, adding that such performances by young cricketers demonstrate the level of talent that exists throughout Guyana. “It also shows that the administrators of cricket at every stage must find ways to harness this talent through development programmes that will ultimately produce a more competitive Guyana national team,” he said. “Over the years the Guyana senior side has not performed to expectation. It means that such young cricketers who are winning tournaments are not graduating to the national team in a manner that develops their talent for bigger and higher level cricket,” said Kumar. “Somewhere, something is missing.” Kumar however said the Government stands behind the young cricketers and that it will continue its support for the game, which he said has always been a unifying force in the wider community. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) also extended congratulations to the Under-19s, which followed closely on the heels of their younger Under-15 counterparts, who recently outplayed Jamaica and most of the
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar
other teams away in that country to capture that title. This now makes Guyana the winners of two WICB youth championships out of a possible four for the year 2014. “Our Under-17 team had also given a good account of themselves in TT, but unfortunately, suffered from having one of their games completely washed out. However, the GCB is extremely encouraged by the professional attitude, dedication and teamwork displayed by this bunch of players,” GCB stated in a release. It further said the Under19 boys played like champions and deserve nothing less than the coveted three- day title which had eluded them for years. Guyana started the tournament a bit indifferently with a draw against the Windward Islands, but grew in strength and confidence with two comprehensive victories against powerhouses Barbados and
Trinidad and Tobago when the two established WI and firstclass players came to the party. “The GCB joins with the rest of Guyana in congratulating the management and entire team of players on a welldeserved victory and notes the synergy and teamwork displayed by the entire team,” the release said. There were some praiseworthy individual performances from a few players – against Trinidad and Tobago, Tagenarine Chanderpaul held the lone Guyana innings together with a remarkable, unbeaten century; and when Guyana was staring down the barrel of defeat in their second innings against the Windward Islands, Kemo Paul’s determination and resilience resurrected the innings with a brilliant 90. Against Barbados, Steven Sankar was exceptional with the ball, capturing a five-wicket haul whilst Shimron Hetmyer registered a classy century. The board urged the team to remain focused and make the necessary adjustments for the 50-over format of the game during the next few weeks and to ensure that they make their home advantage count with a third youth championship for this year. “Our youngsters have demonstrated what can be achieved when the determination and stable environment is [sic] present. These young players have proven that Guyana is rich with talent and can produce world- class players again once everyone works together to put the interest of cricket and the players first,” the release added.
our bowling attack, we will be more potent moving forward in the tournament.” Jamaica Tallawahs’ Coach, Mickey Arthur, has four wins under his belt in five matches this tournament and is satisfied with the progress saying; “I have no complaints about my team. They are like a family of brothers, they work hard together and I am tru-
ly proud of the progress they have made in the last three to four weeks. I am just going to keep challenging these players because I know we can get better. We have talented players on our team, so we are striving for that perfect performance which I believe is coming soon.” The former South Africa and Australia Coach also spoke about the rota-
tion of strike, explaining; “Progressively, we are facing less dot balls and I am pleased we are rotating the strike, we have a unit of hard hitting players and that blend of going for the ones and twos can help us to get the better of opponents. We have two more home games and we would like to win them both.”
Limacol CPL develops home grown talent – budding stars get their chance to shine on the international stage
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he Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) not only entertains crowds with high-intensity Twenty20 cricket, but is also helping to develop home grown talent by giving aspiring young cricketers the opportunity to showcase their skills. The match between the St Lucia Zouks and Barbados Tridents on Thursday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground saw the home team lose their sixth straight game of the tournament. However, it highlighted the undeniable talent of the Caribbean’s new generation of aspiring cricketers like 19 year old St Lucia Zouks fast bowler, Ray Jordan and 22 year old Barbados Tridents allrounder, Jason Holder, who both gave stellar performances – Jordan taking his first professional wicket and Holder making 48 off 30 balls. At the pre-match press conference ahead of their second home game this weekend, St Lucia Zouks Head Coach, Matthew Maynard, lauded the young players in his team who continue to demonstrate tremendous talent on the pitch, he said; “The injuries we have had in the tourna-
Jason Holder made 48 off 30 balls for the Barbados Tridents
ment have meant that our young players are getting opportunities to perform. Ray Jordan wasn’t even eligible to play at the start of the tournament, but he
came in last night and performed magnificently.” Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel Head Coach, Simon Helmot, also mentioned the fantastic experience young players are gaining by playing in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, he said; “Tournaments like the CPL are providing up and coming cricketers with the chance to demonstrate their skills and passion for the game. When Twenty20 cricket first came about, we didn’t think the skills young players learn from the game would be adaptable for the longer format but, that is no longer the case as many players who are getting their first opportunities in Twenty20 are going on to be good test match players.” St Lucia Zouks allrounder, Liam Sebastian, got his first taste of Twenty20 cricket in last night’s match and is looking to hone his talents in this format of the game, he said; “I have played lots of first class cricket throughout the Caribbean, but it was amazing to play in the CPL for the first time, especially in front the home crowd. I am looking forward to more opportunities to play and to make my team proud.”