From Calvin Roberts
in Barbados
Compliments of Ansa McAl Limited, Cummings Electrical, P&P Insurance, Hanes (Guyana) Limited and Cellular Planet
Captain Eugene La Fleur will be looking for an improved performance from his front line batsmen Guyana oppose the Windward Islands in their second round match of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/TCL sponsored 2008 Regional Under-19 cricket competition at the Combermere Secondary School ground today.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport during the team’s practice session at the Kensington Oval yesterday morning, La Fleur stated that Trevon Griffith, Royan Fredericks, Jonathan Foo and Seon Hetmyer needed to apply themselves and get amongst the runs for the team.
“These are batsmen who are capable enough of doing so. They all have the ability to get runs and ease some of the pressure off Sonny (Jeetendra Sookdeo) and both the coach and I would like to see them doing such,” he said.
In the first round match against the Leeward Islands openers Griffith and Fredericks were separated before the score reached double figures in each innings.
It took half centuries from Sookdeo and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble for the defending champions to get first innings points while Sookdeo scored another half century (77) as Guyana successfully chased the 134 needed to complete the outright win.
“We will be looking to record another win. In order to do so, we have had a look back at the last game and even though we came out victorious, there were some weaknesses that we looked at and we will be working on them in an effort not to have a repeat,” he said.
“However, we would not be too complacent against the Windward Islands as that can cost us but we are looking to play hard and positive cricket from ball one.”
The management team said they will play the same team that defeated the Leeward Islands by five wickets in the first round which means that Royston Alkins, Dillon Heyliger and Keyron Fraser would have to be content with executing the water duties around the boundary.
Fredericks and Griffith will again opening the batting with Sookdeo batting at number three.
Hetmyer will occupy the number four position followed by Foo at number five.
The bowling is not of any concern for the defending champions as Leon Scott, Keon Joseph and company proved coach Hubern Evans’s assessment that they were capable of getting 20 wickets right in the first game.
Scott who played the entire match against the Leeward Islands with a slight back strain, had figures of 1-22 and 4-39 whilst Joseph had 1-34 twice.
The opening bowlers were able to effect the breakthrough before the ball was five overs old and they received admirable support from spinners Foo, Herman Latcha and Totaram Bishun.
The Windward Islands will be looking to redeem themselves following their seven wicket trouncing at the hands of hosts Barbados in the first round.
The will look to Dalton Polius and skipper Kerron Cottoy to spearhead both the team’s batting and bowling attack as was evident in the first round game against Barbados.
They sill be supported by Junior Jervier and Wayne Harper.
Play begins at 10am.
Guyana (from) Eugene La Fleur (captain), Royan Fredericks, Royston Alkins, Dillon Heyliger, Trevon Griffith, Jeetendra Sookdeo, Totaram Bishun , Leon Scott, Seon Hetmyer, Jonathan Foo, Herman Latcha, Anthony Bramble, Keyron Fraser and Keon Joseph. Hubern Evans (Coach) and Alvin Johnson (manager).
Windward Islands (from) Kerron Cottoy (captain), Kaveem Hodge, Junior Jervier, Alton Audain, Vincent Lewis, Oscar George, Dennis Smith, Rudolph Paul, Dalton Polius, Audie Alexander, Delorn Johnson, Marvin Small, Wayne Harper and Keswick Williams. Raymond Duncan (coach) and Shawn Edwards (manager).
Umpires are S. Lorde and A. Watson (R. Broomes standby)