By Marlon Munroe
Medium pacer Trevor Benn’s knock on the door has been answered by chairman of selectors Claude Raphael and associates.
Benn was yesterday named in the national 13-man team to contest next year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional four-day tournament which commences January 8.
All-rounder Christopher Barnwell has been confined to the ranks of the eight-man reserve list also selected for the first class season.
The selectors have also included the Guyanese quartet currently in Australia preparing to wrap up the last of the three-match test series which starts tonight.
A release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), stated that, “appropriate adjustments will be made when it is clearly ascertained from the West Indian selectors which of the senior (Guyanese) players will be required to do further duties with the WI team.”
The WI team will return home after the Test series before going back to Australia in the new year for the ODI and Twenty20 matches.
When Stabroek Sport caught up with the 24-year-old Benn he said that without God and his discipline his selection to the senior ranks would not have been possible.
He added that he intends to work harder and, if selected in the final 11, put his best to the fore.
When asked whether he was prepared for the rigours of first-class cricket Benn answered by stating that he was a hard worker and one who will adapt to the conditions presented.
He noted, however, that he was still stunned at his selection to the team especially since he has not played any youth cricket; he started playing four years ago for the Police Sports Club.
Meanwhile, Raphael stated that he was impressed with the system of preparation and therefore should not have complaints of their fitness. He said that some of the selections were simple especially since they performed well during the current GCB three-day first division tournament.
Raphael said he was confident Guyana, who finished in the cellar position in this year’s tournament, will do well as he believes some of the younger players are now maturing.
He is of the view that this is the “right impetus” for the team to start the tournament.
All the players except Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan were in the team that lost to the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and the Windward Islands teams earlier this year.
The selectors have also named former national under-19 batsman Vishal Singh, who has been in good nick for some time, Rajendra Chandrika and Gajanand Singh in the reserve list.
Left-arm pacer Andre Stoll and Keon Joseph, who is currently encamped in St. Lucia for the upcoming Youth World Cup in New Zealand next year, are also in the 13-stand by list along with all-rounder Deon Ferrier.
Raphael revealed that WI middle order batsman Sarwan will be the captain and in his absence former opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon will perform that duty.
Team: Sewnarine Chattergoon, Travis Dowlin, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Royston Crandon, Derwin Christian, Assad Fudadin, Veerasammy Permaul, Devindra Bishoo, Esaun Crandon, Brendon Bess and Trevor Benn.
Reserves: Vishal Singh, Rajendra Chandrika, Gajanand Singh, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell, Deon Ferrier, Keon Joseph and Andre Stoll.
