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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Providence pitch 50% complete – Xavier F
ollowing the decision to completely remake the four pitches at Guyana’s only international cricket venue, the Guyana National Stadium located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Stadium Manager, Anthony Xavier has indicated that the works are 50% completed. Presently, the four pitches located on the square of the cricket field have been relayed and is in a setting phase. Since the inaugu-
ral game, back in March 2007 when the stadium featured a World Cup match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, the pitch was the topic of much criticism on its slowness and lowness. When this Guyana Times International Sportvisited the Stadium, the recently laid dirt was being heavily soaked. This comes after the old pitches were dug up and a fresh bed of stone and other materials were placed as part of the
The next stage for the Providence square is the planting of grass (Romario Samaroo photo)
preparation process. The overall outcome is to have a pitch that mirrors the practice pitches which provide a better bounce and slower deterioration rate when compared to its previous state. It is no secret that while Guyana has a slow and low pitch, the outfield is one of the fastest drying in the world and if the works done on the pitch are to exceed expectations Guyana has the potential to be one of the most sought
The repainted exit stairways in the red stand
after grounds in the Caribbean. Additionally, the works are expected to produce a consistent bounce and carry much to liking of both batsmen and bowlers. According to Xavier there is no rush to hurry the works, but rather time is treated wisely to produce a world class product. Xavier indicated, however, that the project is heading into one of the more tender stages, as the laying of the grass is
a delicate and technical procedure but is confident that the project will be completed in October. Additionally, finishing touches are also being done to the already 95 percent complete paint job to the external stairways of the stands. The project is expected to be completed in time to facilitate Guyana’s hosting of West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League Regional Four Day matches which begins in November.
Windies not weakened by Gayle’s absence, says Sarfraz
Uncapped West Indians hungry to make their mark
UBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Pakistan are not assuming the absence of batting superstar Chris Gayle to mean West Indies will be a weakened unit for their three-match Twenty20 International series starting here Saturday. “I don’t think that there is much of an advantage when it comes to T20 cricket when players have changed,” Captain Sarfraz Ahmed said. “True, they don’t have Chris Gayle, but they do have some other good players. Our focus is to do well on the field. We finished on a good note in Manchester (against England earlier this month) and I hope we start on a good note here.” Gayle, one of the most destructive batsmen in the game’s shortest formats, was not available for selection after also missing the two-match series against India in Fort Lauderdale, United States, last month. He was joined by Lendl Simmons, who was also unavailable because of medical reason, while dynamic allrounder Andre Russell pulled out of the squad last week for “personal reasons”. West Indies have been installed as heavy favourites, especially after lifting an unprecedented second T20 World Cup title in India last April. They are currently ranked number three, with Pakistan four places lower in seventh. Despite the absence of
ast bowler Kesrick Williams, allrounder Rovman Powell and wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran, the uncapped players in West Indies' T20 squad for the three-match series against Pakistan in the UAE, have spoken of their desire to make their mark in international cricket. "It is really fantastic to be called up for the West Indies team; something every young man would dream about, to play international cricket," Williams said on the eve of the first T20I. "The determination is there, I am just ready to go, execute, and put my name out there in international cricket." Pooran was excited at the prospect of playing with World T20 winners such as his captain Carlos Brathwaite. "It's a dream come true," he said. "I always thought I will play for West Indies when I was 21. I am 20 at the moment. While I was a youngster, I watched these guys win two World Cups. It's an amazing achievement for me. Just trying to take the opportunity and make the full use of it." Powell also said representing West Indies was a "dream". "Getting the call from Courtney Browne was one of the happiest days of my life," he said. "Representing West Indies at any level is something that I dream about. The dream has come to a reality." While Williams did not bat
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Chris Gayle
Gayle, Simmons and Russell, West Indies boast the likes of all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, along with leg-spinner Samuel Badree and off-spinner Sunil Narine. But Sarfraz said while there was no doubt about the quality of the Caribbean side, Pakistan would not be daunted. “They are the best T20 team in the world and won the Twenty20 World Cup,” he noted. “We are also a good team and when we played against England, we didn’t think that we were playing the T20 World Cup finalists and that they are one of the best T20 teams in the world. Our focus was mainly on that we should play well and play good cricket. “That is the same focus here. Our aim is to play good cricket and play a good brand of cricket and beat them.”
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Rovman Powell made 228 runs in 12 innings for Jamaica Tallawahs at the CPL (Photo: CPL/Sportsfile)
or bowl in the warm-up match against an Emirates Cricket Board XI on Tuesday, Powell and Pooran staked their claim for spots in the opening T20I. They overcame a top-order wobble with a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket at a run rate of 10.40. Pooran was the leader, scoring seven boundaries, of which two sailed out of the ground. "That innings was needed by me for my self-confidence and for the team," Pooran said. "It [The sixes] was satisfying. I am a bit disappointed that I didn't get more. I will take it at the end of the day." Powell said that having clarity was key to that stand. "The thought process was simple, just get used to the conditions in Dubai," he said. "I just stuck to the basics, when the ball comes in my area, I get a
start and expand my range." Pooran had come into the spotlight when he played the innings of the Under-19 World Cup at the same venue in 2014. He struck 143 off 160 balls, which lifted West Indies 70 for 8 to 208. Of the 23 boundaries in West Indies' innings, Pooran hit 20. "I have good memories of Dubai. I expect to do something special again here. I am looking forward to the challenge," he said. Powell, who has also been selected in the West Indies A squad for the List A matches in Sri Lanka, was wary of high expectations. "When you set targets and set expectations, sometimes you set up for failures," he said. "What I do is try to play the conditions."