The Guyana senior selectors yesterday shortlisted a squad of 34 players to participate in two trial matches for possible selection on the national team to participate in the regional Carib Beer four-day competition set to commence on January 4 with Guyana opposing Trinidad and Tobago at Guaracara Park.
Notable absentees are regional record-holder for the most wickets Mahendra Nagamootoo, left-arm orthodox Neil Mc Garrell and former West Indies fast bowler Reon King.
Nagamootoo can consider himself to be hard done, having put in yeoman service for his country on numerous occasions. His regional record speaks for itself when compared to any other spinner emanating out of Guyana.
He has taken over 545 wickets in his career and at an age of 32, still has a lot more to offer Guyana’s cricket.
Nagamootoo is also a capable left handed lower order batsman who is averaging 19.02 at the first class level with a highest score of 100. The 33-year-old King has played 19 test matches for the West Indies taking 53 wickets at an average of 32.69 with a best bowling performance of 5-51.
MC Garrell, like Nagamootoo has given yeoman service to both Guyana.
Healso played four Test matches for the West Indies taking 17 wickets at an average of 26.64 with a best of 4-23 and is a capable lower order batsman and a very athletic fielder.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Darwin Christian, who was axed by the Demerara selectors has been included and will have the diminutive Anthony Bramble as his rival for the wicket-keeping position.
Also included are three former national under-19 fast bowlers in Brendon Bess, Jeremiah Harris and Jeremy Gordon while Gajanand Singh gets another chance in the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine and Ramnaresh Sarwan for Guyana’s three first round matches.
There is also a chances for left arm spinner Totaram Bishun, Ranga Lachigadu,
Maxie De Jonge and Shemroy Barrington to stake their claims.
Three Essequibians are included in fast bowlers Trevon Garraway and Rayon Griffith and national under-19 fast bowler Dellon Heyliger whilst Krishna Arjune who missed out on the Regional KFC Cup due to a shoulder injury has been included.
The three players selected for possible selection on the Young West Indies team to participate in the Youth World Cup in Malaysia namely, Steven Jacobs who has been appointed captain, Rajendra Chandrika and left- arm orthodox spinner Verasammy Permaul have all been included.
The 34 man squad reads: Krishna Arjune, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Gajanand Singh, Krishna Deosarran, Dion Ferrier, Totaram Bishun, Darwin Christian, Brendon Bess, Jeremy Gordon, Chris Barnwell, Ranga Lachigadu, Rajendra Chandrika, Rayon Thomas, Sauid Drepaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Shemroy Barrington, Maxie de Jonge, Royston Crandon, Leon Johnson, Homchand Pooran, Zaheer Mohammed, Davendra Bishu, Anthony Bramble, Jeremiah Harris, Trevon Garraway, Esaun Crandon, Steven Jacobs, Verasammy Permaul, Orin Forde, Travis Dowlin, Dellon Heyliger and Narsingh Deonarine.
The first trial game which will be a three-day affair will be played from Tuesday to Thursday at the DCC ground Queenstown.