By Marlon Munroe
Assad Fudadin, in his new role as captain of the national cricket team, believes that the team owes the nation an abundance of joy and memorable performances, especially since the last two years have been dismal in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Four-day tournament.
Fudadin, who replaced Ramnaresh Sarwan as skipper of the side, told Stabroek Sport yesterday that the side knows that the results over the past two years in the tournament were repellent but said this should be the year that those negative performances are reversed.
These comments come at a time when cricket administration has been dealt a critical blow with the in-house wrangling in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).
In 2009 Guyana finished in the cellar position while last year they finished one position from the bottom. And as the side, which departed Guyana at 05:00 hours this morning, prepares to go up against Jamaica on Friday at Sabina Park, Fudadin emphasised that the batsmen owe it to themselves to improve from past years.
Further, the talented left hander noted that he was pleased with the commitment, application and consistency the batsmen and bowlers showed during the lone practice match that ended in a draw over the weekend. He indicated that this is the sort of energy he wants to see from his players throughout the tournament.
Fudadin, who averages 30.34, stressed that it was good to see the batsmen at the crease, especially since they have been playing so many Twenty20 competitions, the last one being the Caribbean Cup where Guyana crashed out in the preliminary round. The transition, according to Fudadin, was necessary for the side particularly since the management side had only seven days of preparation for the tournament.
The Berbician said that he felt good with the side’s determination at practice sessions, while also declaring that most of the players had been putting in the extra work at home. He said that he wants the players to continue to show him the support that they have showed over the last seven days.
He indicated that he will be leading from the front the same way it has always been when he leads his county team, Berbice. According to Fudadin, who has played 35 first class matches, the side should be professional at all times and must always play to its fullest potential.
Further, he mentioned that the absence of Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be huge losses but said that the time was suitable for the younger batsmen to emerge and fill these slots.
He expressed confidence that they will do this since opening batsmen Travis Dowlin and Sewnarine Chattergoon and middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine are also absent from the team.
Deonarine, in 2009, was the first batsman to score 1000 runs in a WICB first class tournament.
Fudadin said that the batsmen should see the absence of these senior players as motivation to do well. He hopes that the players will rise to the occasion.
