The Berbice Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) through its Special Events Committee (SEC) on Thursday last launched its All Time XI at an impressive ceremony held at its New Amsterdam office with regional record holder Mahendra Nagamootoo finding a place on the team.
Chairman of SEC, Hilbert Foster, said that the team was selected by three former long serving administrators who have a combined total of 80 years of cricket in the County in Mortimer George, Lennox Phillips and Ancel Hazel.
George and Hazel have served as secretary and president of the BCBC respectively.
The main aim in selecting the team was to identify the 11 greatest players who would have represented the county over the years.
At the same time, it is hoped that the selection would serve as an inspiration to the present generation of cricketers, especially those at the junior level.
Two openers, four middle-order batsmen, one wicket-keeper, an all-rounder and three fast bowlers were selected by the three-man team, who also chose Rohan Kanhai as the captain.
After careful consideration and ratification the names of the 11 were unveiled at the launching.
Calling the team a world class one, Foster noted that the selectors did a good job with the batting itself covering a total of 270 test matches whilst at the same time, accumulating over 20,000.
“With such a powerful batting line-up, along with all-rounders Nagamootoo, Randolph Ramnarace and wicket-keeper Milton Pydanna adds strength to it. The bowling is in the capable hands of John Trim and Leslaine Lambert, whilst medium pacer Ramnarace and leg spinner Nagamootoo are capable supporters in this department.”
Foster further stated that the All Time XI played a total of 1,804 first class matches, scoring 109,432 runs including 300 centuries and taking 871 first class wickets.
In some brief remarks, member of the All Time XI and former West Indies middle order batsman Basil Butcher noted that it was an honour to be selected amongst the greatest players to have ever represented the county.
“I must thank the BCBC for the progress they have made in Berbice cricket over the years. This is a watershed moment for me and I would like to take the opportunity to urge the present generation of Berbice cricketers to be more focused and disciplined.”
Acting president of the BCBC Keith Foster expressed his delight at the positive development in Berbice cricket during the year 2008 and described the unveiling of the All Time XI as historic.
“We are breaking new ground here today and to this effect, I want to challenge the other two county boards (Demerara and Essequibo), to name their all time XI, as it would not only acknowledge our cricketing heroes, but also serve as an inspiration to o9ur young cricketing generation.”
Also making brief remarks at the ceremony were vice president of the BCBC, David Black along with Mayor of New Amsterdam Claude Henry whilst Nagamootoo and Butcher unveiled the team’s large poster which is mounted on the walls of the BCBC office.
The Berbice All Time XI reads; Rohan Kanhai (captain), Roy Fredericks, Clayton Lambert, Alvin Kallicharran, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Randolph Ramnarace, Milton Pydanna, Mahendra Nagamootoo, John Trim and Leslie Amsterdam.