By Calvin Roberts
in Barbados
Compliments of Ansa McAl Limited, Cummings Electrical, Lifetime Realty, P&P Insurance, Cellular Plus and Hanes (Guyana) Limited
With the weather looking to threaten the outcome of the West Indies Cricket board (WICB)/TCL-sponsored 2008 Regional Under-19 tournament, defending champions Guyana will be looking to stay on top of their points standing when they face Jamaica in their fourth round match beginning from today at the Yorkshire Cricket Ground, St. George.
Manager of the Guyana team and vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Alvin Johnson had earlier told Stabroek Sport that the team will be looking to maintain their position in their two remaining matches in the three-day competition.
“No doubt the weather is looking to wreak havoc with the tournament and the fact that we are ahead at this point augurs well for us at the moment. However, we have no intention of being complacent in our two remaining matches, but will be looking to maximize our points with an aim to maintain our grip at the top of the table.”
Once again the batting may be of some concern to the Guyanese with their openers Trevon Griffith and vice captain Royan Fredericks yet to post a partnership of over 50 even though they had the opportunity of doing so on the flat Cable and Wireless/BET, Wildey ground where they last played against Barbados.
Not much is known of the Yorkshire ground, but the batsmen would need to apply themselves more and possibly post a formidable opening partnership.
Both players have the capacity of getting big scores but seem to be lacking patience as they look to score and score big off every delivery.
The number three position will be occupied by Jeetendra Sookdeo who has recovered from the slight side strain he picked up during the net session prior to the second round game against the Windward Islands.
Seon Hetmyer and Jonathan Foo are two batting all-rounders now in their second year at this level.
The former needs to settle down and forget about his past failures whilst Foo’s shot selection have been the cause of his demise.
In both innings against the Windward Islands, he gifted his wicket away to right-arm leg-spinner Kerron Cottoy attempting slog sweeps.
Against the Jamaicans who have lost their last two matches even though they led on first innings, such mistakes cannot be made.
With captain Eugene La Fleur fit and ready to take back the reins from Fredericks, there may be no place for Essequibo’s Dillon Heyliger or Royston Alkins who, according to Johnson, looked impressive in the practice session the team had at the Wanderers Cricket Club ground on Thursday.
“We had a good session where we had the opportunity of looking at a few batsmen and bowlers especially Alkins and Heyliger. What was heartening also was that the skipper was involved in the intense fielding drills carried out by the coach and he (La Fleur) was upbeat about getting back into the team.”
Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble has come on in the competition following his defiant half century against the Leeward Islands in the first round but still needs to display the batting that saw him being a prolific scorer for his club Scottsburg United in the Isaac Bissoon first division competition in Berbice.
The lower order batting will rely on Herman Latcha, Totaram Bishun and fast bowlers Keon Joseph and Leon Scott who have all put up their hands when it mattered the most for the team.
The bowlers have stood up to the expectations and predictions of Johnson and there has only been one instance where they were unable to get the side batting first out, and that was in their last game against Barbados which was marred by five dubious umpiring decisions against the Guyanese all from one end.
The Jamaicans will be bent on redeeming themselves and Johnson said he is wary of the Andre Creary led side.
“I am wary of the Jamaicans. They will be bent on redeeming themselves following their two consecutive losses in this competition. They have within their ranks, two players who are capable of turning the tide in any game in Creary (Andre) and Horace Miller as was evident in both formats of the tournament last year.”
Creary who is a batting all-rounder will be looking to his charges for an improved performance.
Coach of the Jamaican team Andre Coley said he was looking for general improvement from his charges in their last two matches in this format of the tournament.
“We definitely need general improvement. We could not care less who we are playing as improvement is the order of the day. However, it is not going to be easy going up against the Guyanese who are not only the defending champions, but leaders of the tournament so far and, at the moment, last year’s performance over them while it could be used as a psychological boost for us don’t mean a thing.”
Like Johnson, Coley highlighted Creary as one of the players who needs to improve on his game in the last two rounds.
“By his standards, he should be disappointed with his performances to date having set himself some goals for this tournament. He has been getting some starts even scoring two fifties in the tournament, but he needs to carry on” said Coley.
The Jamaican batting will hinge around Creary and Miller who both played for the West Indies under-19 team in the last youth World Cup; West Indies Under-15 batsman Jon Campbell, Kennar Lewis, John-Ross Campbell and Nick Blackwood.
Romeo Dunka, Jermaine Blackwood and Gifton Wray who had figures of 9-64 in the upset loss to the Windward Islands in the last round are the fast bowlers.
The spin department will be taken care of by Creary, who will be getting support from West Indies Under-15 leg spinner Donovan Matthews who, like Campbell, are replacement players for Garth Garvey and Patrick Harty who had to be flown back to Jamaica after falling prey to chicken pox.
Guyana are on 28 points and Jamaica, 14 points.
Teams Guyana (from): Eugene La Fleur, Royan Fredericks, Trevon Griffith, Jeetendra Sookdeo, Seon Hetmyer, Royston Alkins, Dillon Heyliger, Anthony Bramble, Jonathan Foo, Keon Joseph, Keyron Fraser, Herman Latcha, Totaram Bishun and Leon Scott.
Jamaica (from): Andre Creary, Nick Blackwood, Jermaine Cole, John-Ross Campbell, Jon Campbell, Donovan Lewis, Kennar Lewis, Horace Miller, Courtney Allen, Maverick Perry, Jermaine Blackwood, Richard Simpson, Romeo Dunka and Gifton Wray.
Umpires T. Franklyn and R. Braithwaite (A. Watson standby).
Play is set to commence at 10:00hrs weather permitting.
