By Delvon Mc Ewan
With the disappointment of failing to reach the final of the Regional One Day tournament behind them the Guyana national cricket team have another chance to win a regional title when they depart today for Jamaica where they will participate in the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day competition.
Chairman of the national cricket selectors and former Guyana fast bowler Rayon Griffith told Stabroek sports that a lot is expected of the players with the batting expected to hold the upper hand.
“In order to gain the title all areas of the squad make up has to be functioning and since the team has been playing good and they’re gelling together it creates a high spirit for the team…It’s the best I’ve seen the team in a while,” he said
According to Griffith the players selected are expected to do the best for themselves and their country adding that he believes this will be achieved since the team is a well balance team.
The Guyana team will be seeking a podium position in the regional four day tournament.
They have not won the regional four day competition in 12 years since former West Indies captain Carl Hooper led them to the four day title triumph way back in 2002.
The opening match of the regional four day tournament, begins on Friday and the Guyanese will take on the hosts Jamaica at Sabina Park.
As one of the most experienced teams in the tournament, at least on paper, Guyana will have to play to their fullest potential in they intend to win the tournament.
With veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a resurgent Ramnaresh Sarwan who have to date played 531 first-class games between them leading, the middle order is expected to be the mainstay of the team’s batting.
West Indies test player Narsingh Deonarine who featured on the recent tour to India and New Zealand and currently averages 36.33 per innings in first class cricket, is the third member of the test triumvirate. He will also provide support in the middle, while captain of the side Leon Johnson and Assad Fudadin will look to carry on from where they left off in last year’s first class season for Guyana and West Indies “A” in an effort to boost their efforts to gain future selection on the West Indies representatives teams.
Also included in the batting line up is Christopher Barnwell who will have a chance to showcase his batting ability in the four-day format as he does in the shorter format. The rest of the batting will come from former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, Vishal `Cheesy’ Singh who regains his position in the national side after scoring heavily for the President’s XI in the Inter-County, four-day competition.
If Guyana’s batting fulfills its expectations then the bowling department will have to function effectively. Leading the bowling attack will be spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo who have so far taken 386 first class wickets between them.
Former West Indies U19 player Keon Joseph who has been bowling with good pace and control lately is expected to share the new ball with exciting fast bowler Ronsford Beaton.
Barnwell will act as the third medium fast bowler, while Deonarine who can be destructive at times with his off spin bowling can contribute to Guyana’s bowling department.
