-Singh points to new hunger among Rest Team batsmen
By Marlon Munroe
Guyana Cricket Board’s High Performance Analyst, Robin Singh and national coach Rabindranauth Seeram have mixed feelings over the performance of the Guyana XI after the first day of the three-day trial match which ends today at the Eve Leary ground.
However, both men expressed satisfaction over the fitness level of the team ahead of the upcoming regional first class tournament that begins on January 8 in Jamaica.
Seeram noted that the middle order batting collapse brought back some horrible memories of Guyana’s performance at this year’s regional four day tournament where they finished in the cellar position.
“Our major concern is, again, that the middle order is showing the same signs as earlier in the year. We are never satisfied with our batsmen not making big scores. They were supposed to capitalize,” Seeram reasoned.
“We thought more of our batsmen like Royston Crandon, (Deon) Ferrier, Derwin Christian and even Fudadin who made a century, would have gone on to make higher scores.
“Our main aim was to bat long because this is our only practice match before leaving Guyana,”Seeram explained.
The former national middle order batsman emphasized that opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika got a start and did not go on to make a big score.
On the other hand, Singh said that he has seen the urgency of the Rest Team XI to prove themselves to the selectors to merit selection to the national side.
“Suddenly the Guyana side is hard to make and players realize they have to work harder and that is what cricket needs in Guyana,” he posited.
Singh who spoke with Fudadin said:“Fudadin with a hundred was not satisfied because he is feeling and seeing something especially since he feels that he is playing the ball too much in the air. Even 106 is not enough. That is what players have to realize; this is the hunger they have to come with; they must want a lot of runs.”
Singh said that he has not been able to do any formal reviews since he was unwell with influenza. Conversely, he said that since there are more than one set of trained eyes on the players, better results have been yielded at their team meetings where there is more individual attention being paid to the players.
Seeram told Stabroek Sport that he wants his batsmen to have as much practice at the crease in the game especially since the team will be breaking camp for more than a week for the Christmas holidays.
On the point of fitness Seeram said that they must acknowledge the work of Police Sports Club athletics coach Lyndon Wilson on the players. He singled out the bulky wicketkeeper Derwin Christian and opening bowler Esaun Crandon for the weight they have lost during the three week fitness programme while the 21-man squad was encamped.
