Both manager Alvin Johnson and coach Hubern Evans were impressed with the work ethic shown by the 20-man national under-19 team during their first encampment last weekend.
In an invited comment with Stabroek Sport both Johnson and Evans echoed the same sentiments on the team’s performance in the two- day camp, despite suffering a minor hiccup since the use of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall was not permissible.
“I am impressed with the commitment shown by the guys. They displayed an attitude of willingness to work, even though some of them still need to improve in their fitness level as what they displayed leaves more to be desired for the regional level,” Johnson said.
While stating that management had to resort to the Police Sports Club (PSC) number two ground to execute their beep test, which was not the ideal situation for that, Johnson expressed his delight in seeing the injured Jeetendra Sookdeo make an appearance at the session.
“We used the PSC ground on the western half as a match was in progress on the eastern end and that was not the ideal venue to carry out a beep test, but the guys stuck to the task well with the one bright spot being the presence of the still injured Jeetendra Sookdeo.”
“Even though he has been ordered to rest by the doctor, he still made his presence felt on both days, encouraging the guys to push themselves,” Johnson stated.
A motivational speech was also conducted by Johnson who told the 20 young cricketers to see themselves as the best possible under-19 cricketers in the country who have been charged with going to Jamaica to compete and do better than last year’s team and the senior national team this year.
Both Johnson and Evans expressed their concerns over left handed back of the arm spinner Totaram Bishun, of whom much is expected if he is selected for this year’s tournament.
“He has over two years experience at this level, but he is yet to play to his full potential and hopefully, once he is selected for this year’s tournament, we would get the best out of him as he is expected to do a lot of bowling for the team,” said Johnson.
The ever cool Evans is looking forward to the next encampment this weekend while he has his sights set on the 15-day encampment for which plans are already drafted.
“For the next three weekends which will see the players being encamped, we will continue to work on their fitness as a place like Jamaica requires a 100% fit cricketer especially for such a long tournament. Then there is the 15-day encampment where we will be looking at more cricket-related activities.”
“We will be taking them through fielding drills along with some batting exercises and once the weather holds, there is a possibility of a three-day practice match as well as a limited overs game and a simulation match exercise,” Evans further stated.
Guyana, who last won the regional title back in 2007 under the captaincy of Steven Jacobs, lost it last year to tournament host Barbados, despite winning their first two matches outright and as was the case last year, they will be opposing the Leeward Islands in their first match.
