Dear Editor,
It was certainly a very interesting initiative by the special events committee of the Berbice Cricket Board to recognize and unveil the names of the county’s best eleven, dating back to the glorious years of the flamboyant Roy Fredericks and complementing the present era with the versatile Mahendra Nagamootoo. There has been subsequent criticism in the press about the selection of the team. However, whatever criteria may have been used, it certainly has stirred much interest, hence my eagerness to do likewise for Essequibo, having been a former player myself.
My selection of Essequibo’s all-time best eleven, however, is not official, but I have done thorough research based on the existing records and my own experience, having witnessed and played with some of the players selected.
The eleven in chronological order are: Trenton Peters, Dinesh Joseph, Rovindra Mandolall, Alfred Maycock, (vice captain), John Floyd, Jaimini Singh (captain), Ramesh Narine, Jeff Jones, (wicket-keeper), Beesham Seepersaud, Courtney Gonsalves and Bentley Bishop.
The selection of Jaimini Singh as captain is as a result of him engineering a rare victory against Berbice in Berbice as captain, when he would have scored an unbeaten 92 for a thrilling one-wicket win. It is Essequibo’s only outright victory in a four-day encounter to date. He also led North Essequibo to memorable victories in the SN Singh and Neal and Massy first division national countrywide limited over competition, as he was a genuine all-rounder who commanded respect and possessed tremendous composure and tolerance. He was also a member of the national team that toured Trinidad, which is testimony to his ability. In addition, only Courtney Gonsalves, Beesham Seepersaud and Ramesh Narine played for Guyana at the senior level, while Ramesh Narine, Dinesh Joseph and Jeff Jones scored inter-county centuries for Essequibo with the exception of Ramcharran Singh and Troy Cornelius, who also scored centuries but not for the eleven. The trio of Alfred Maycock, John Floyd and Trenton Peters can be considered unfortunate not to have represented Guyana at the senior level, as they were prolific run scorers at both the club and inter-county level. Of the remaining players, Dinesh Joseph is still a class act and has the distinction of scoring a double century in a national limited overs first division match against North Essequibo in 2006, and is probably Essequibo’s best batsman of any era, while Ramesh Narine is Essequibo’s most consistent run scorer. The conundrum of the team is Rovindra Mandolall, but figuratively he was Essequibo’s most fashionable and technically competent batsman and the most feared by his opponents, especially at the club and inter-committee level during his time. Fast bowler Bentley Bishop was rhythmic, had a perfect bowling action and did bowl consistently fast due to his build, height and endurance. He spearheaded the bowling for Essequibo for a number of years and was always a mean fast bowler. The adaptability and importance of the wicket-keeper to contribute to the bat, especially with the relevance of present-day cricket, made Jeff Jones’ selection unmatchable as he was Essequibo’s first centurion at the inter-county level.
The team as such is a combination of statistical confirmation and competence, with the inclusion of two genuine fast bowlers, one left-arm orthodox leg spinner, and a number of batting all-rounders to complement the team’s strength.
I now implore the Essequibo Cricket board to officially do likewise and for us to recognize our heroes.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney