Two of Guyana’s senior players for the first two away games Leon Johnson and Narsingh Deonarine, are feeling no pressure ahead of the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) four-day cricket competition which commences tomorrow.
“At the moment, I am looking forward to playing in the competition and getting some runs. Having just returned from New Zealand where I was not selected for the two Test matches, I am now looking at scoring heavily in this tournament, as that’s the only way I can maintain my place in the regional side” Johnson told Stabroek Sport.
“When I did not make the test team, I was disappointed. But I sat down and did some thinking and told myself that when I get back home, I will be looking to get some runs in this tournament. With the England team set to tour the West Indies during the course of this competition along with the absence of the other senior players, I have the perfect opportunity to get a decent score that will ink my name on the minds of the selectors,” he added.
The 21-year-old Johnson, who is a former West Indies Under-19 captain and has a first class average of 33.38, is looking to surpass his highest score of 94 made against the Combined Campuses and Colleges in last year’s tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence with his first century.
“It is a great feeling to score a century in a match and to do it for your country is even better. I am yet to experience that feeling for Guyana at the senior level, therefore when I get out there, I am looking forward earnestly to recording my first century for Guyana.
“Achieving it is not easy. Dedication and application are two important ingredients that are needed if you want to become a great sportsman and of late, I have increased my share in both departments. Therefore, I am anxious to get out there in the middle and get some runs. My confidence is high,” the left-handed batsman stated.
Deonarine, who played four test matches for the West Indies is also looking at a recall to the regional side and knows that the only way he can achieve such, is by scoring heavily, a fact he acknowledged.
“I am expected to perform to the best of my ability and I am looking forward to doing just that not only for my country but also myself following my return to competitive cricket, from a back injury early last year.”
He added: “I am looking forward to some good performance not only with the bat, but the ball as well, as it is my aim to regain my place in the West Indies side. As one of the senior players in the team, I have a clear view of what is expected of me and I am not feeling any pressure.
“With the absence of Shiv (Chanderpaul), Ronnie (Sarwan) and Chatters (Chattergoon), the senior players in Travis Dowlin, Leon Johnson and myself have to step up to the plate. We have to take this team through the first two rounds, with positive cricket.
“The younger players will be looking to us for motivation and our body language at times can send the wrong message, so it is important that we perform to the best of our ability and at times beyond. Even though we did not have any match practice due to the weather, we have been working on our fitness and I know we are at a level to compete as a team, with the other teams,” said Deonarine.
Both Johnson and Deonarine agreed that the other players in the squad are capable and expressed confidence in them also.
The Travis Dowlin-led Guyana team will oppose the Windward Islands in Grenada from tomorrow, before journeying across to Barbados where they will take on the Combined Campuses and Colleges in their second round encounter, before returning home following a bye.
