Cricket Operations Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Robin Singh is claiming that the current impasse between the GCB and the government installed Interim Management Committee (IMC) has affected the preparation of the national side.
A 14-man Guyana squad under new skipper Veerasammy Permaul departed yesterday morning for Dominica where they will play their first two matches of the annual regional four-day competition.
“Preparation for this tournament was supposed to start on January 4 with a fitness test and then a further three practice matches but unfortunately, the situation with the IMC significantly curtailed this,” Singh told Stabroek Sport on the eve of the team’s departure.
“Fortunately, though, in some ways the Caribbean T20 has aided in keeping the players who are now in the four-day team competition fit, but ideally, when you are changing formats, some additional changes by the players whether its mental or technical are needed and only some form of match simulation can aid in fine-tuning this.
Singh added that he hoped cricket fans would sympathise with the players if they struggle in the early matches owing to their lack of proper preparation.
“Given that the board office has been locked down we have not had access to very important coaching equipment, balls etc.
“These are very important things that every team needs when they go on tour since many times, when you get to these Islands, you don’t get proper equipment to practice with.
”So when the players get into match situations and don’t adapt, fans who watch the team or read about their performances in the papers or on the internet the next day are critical if its bad which is unfortunate,” Singh stated.
He also touched on the appointment of former national fast-bowler Esaun Crandon who has been named national coach.
According to Singh, this was something the GCB had been contemplating for a while.
“The direction we have gone with in selecting Mr. Crandon as coach is one we have been thinking about doing for some time.
“He is a Level Two qualified England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) coach; a very vibrant trainer and the current crop of players know him and most importantly respect him,” he declared.
The venue for Guyana opening game became test cricket’s 106th test venue when it hosted the final test of last year’s home series between the West Indies and India.
Singh said that Chanderpaul, who scored a century in that test, has been in contact with the players giving them information about what to expect at the ground since most of them have never played their before.
It is likely that because of the existing situation the Guyana team might be required to play all of their matches away from home.
Singh suggested that maybe this could be a blessing in disguise for the team.
“If one looks at the history of the Guyana team in the four-day format, usually the tournament starts in January and we normally go away on the bouncier pitches and struggle a bit; then we would come home and make up ground.
“Now that we are in a position where all our games will be played overseas, it could help the players’ development since we need more bouncy pitches in Guyana,” he explained.
“That is one area where the government intervention should be in local cricket, since they control pretty much all the grounds in the country and it’s certainly an area where the government and the GCB should cooperate.”
