Former Guyana and West Indies Test opener Ryan Ramdass said yesterday he was “hurt, confused and frustrated,” by the fact that he remains ignored by his country for the ongoing West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional 4-day tournament.
The 30 year-old who spoke to Stabroek Sports from Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, said that he is amused by the ill-treatment shown towards him by his country. “Honestly, I’m confused and frustrated, I don’t know what else to do, it seems like I have to score triple hundreds to make the team again,” he said.
Guyana have lost all their games so far which resulted in four changes for the upcoming match against the Leeward Islands.
Despite the dropping of Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deonarine, Chris Barnwell, Vishaul Singh, Ramdass is still to find favour with the selectors.
Players such as Ramdass’ Everest Cricket Club teammates Chanderpaul Hemraj and Amir Khan, along with all-rounder Zaheer Mohamed, Trevon Griffith and even the 17 year-old West Indies Under-19 batsman Shimron Hetmyer have found favour with the selectors and were given nods.
Ramdass has so far chalked up scores of; 27, 119*, 54, 21, 10 and 61 in the Trinidad and Tobago Premiership Cup tournament for the winning Clarke Road team which he helped to once again lift the winning trophy after some 14 years after emerging as the leading run-scorer.
In Trinidad’s ongoing 2-day tournament, the right-hander has notched up solid scores of; 1, 61, 110, 0, 9 and 100 with a few more games remaining. However, when asked about why he feels he has not been selected the opener said: “It’s stressing me out. I’m the only cricketer being treated like this and I feel like I’m not getting the chance to prove myself after my injuries.”
He was also dumbfounded by the fact that not much is being said to him regarding the constant non-selection, but pointed out that if the persons in charge are afraid of his past injuries or fitness they should not dwell on it.
“I’m fit and if they are reasons as to why I’m not getting picked after scoring runs I should be told,” declared Ramdass.
Speaking about the younger Hetmyer who gained favour from the selectors ahead of him after a reasonable showing at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, the ex-West Indies batsman said: “I have no problem with the young man (Hetmyer) he’s a good cricketer and I will love to see him playing for the West Indies senior team soon.”
Another opener who plies his trade in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago playing for the Esmeralda Sports Club and was called up for the sixth round against the Leeward Islands after having a few good matches scoring a half-century and two hundreds is the pugnacious Griffith.
Ramdass also spoke highly of his fellow opener saying: “Trevon is also a very good cricketer, I’m happy for both of them and I wish them all the best in the future.”
With one more game left to play against Trinidad & Tobago at Providence, Ramdass pointed out that he is still optimistic about having a crack in this year’s competition so he can contribute to a win for his country.
“I would love to get a recall to my national team and I would also love to see my country win the remaining games as well,” he concluded.
