Dear Editor,
My letter in the Stabroek News dated August 22, highlighting the achievements of Essequibians Ricardo Adams and Ransford Beaton in the field of cricket (‘Adams, Beaton have placed Essequibo on the cricketing map’) unintentionally omitted the name of Rayon Thomas.
In fact Thomas is an Essequibian as well, and represented the West Indies at the under 19 level with distinction, and then graduated to play for Guyana at the senior level and also for the West Indies ‘B’ team. He was a terrific fast bowler whose training regimen was a lesson for any young cricketer, since he believed in fitness and dedication.
I had the privilege of playing with him at the senior inter-county level, with his 7-81 against Berbice in 2005 being my most memorable recollection of his fast bowling talent. Like Beaton, and before him, Courtney Gonsalves, Thomas had great skill in the art of fast bowling and I had tremendous difficulty as captain, of retrieving the ball from his hands, since he can absorb the threat of batsmen for long hours without any visible evidence of tiredness. His bustling run-up, massive physique and controlled aggression were the key elements in his armoury that earned him success and admiration from the cricketing public. I therefore wish to deservedly acknowledge another cricketing giant whose cricketing exploits will certainly remain a hallmark of Essequibo’s talent.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
