Assistant Coach of the Guyana Cricket Board Developmental XI, Julian Moore says he is pleased with the progress of the youngsters throughout the ongoing GCB senior Inter-County competitions while citing Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s possible inclusion into the side for the final round which begins today, as a huge plus.
Speaking with Stabroek Sports on the eve of the tournament’s third and final round, Moore the National U19 head coach who brought Guyana success in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U19 tournament after winning both the limited overs and three-day titles, said he was a bit disappointed with the youngsters one day performances but was happy that they managed to step up in the four-day format.
The GCB XI, which is led by all-rounder Steven Jacobs is an initiative by the board to help the young cricket talents unlock their full potential as well as allowing them to be exposed to the more senior players in the side the likes of Jacobs, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Kellon Carmichael and others.
“I think that we didn’t too well in the ODI (50 overs format), but we had a lot of positives to take forward and we have so far seen an improvement in the four-day format.
“After getting a first taste of senior Inter-County cricket we beat Essequibo with a day to spare and we had a few moments where we were on top”, he said.
Moore glorified the efforts of his young U19 stars in Shimron Hetmyer, Tage Chanderpaul, Kemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Savory and others who he said have shown a good glimpse of maturity and the talent to cope with the nerves and high-level competition of senior cricket.
The GCB Developmental XI is also expected to gain an invaluable boost heading into today’s third round of the tournament when veteran Guyana and West Indies star Chanderpaul is expected to be a part of the team.
Although Chanderpaul’s inclusion is not yet fully confirmed, sources close to the board said that the dependable left-hander is more than likely expected to debut for the GCB XI which will take on Berbice today at Wales.
The GCB XI has had some good performances from the above mentioned young players and will need the all-round form of Jacobs and the other senior players who have had one-off performances during the tournament to bring their A game today.
Berbice will bank on their heavy top order the likes of in-form opener Kandasammy Surujnarine, Anthony Bramble, Johnathan Foo, skipper Narsingh Deonarine Royston Crandon and other who have been in good form with the bat for the Ancient County side.
Their bowlers Veerasammy Permaul, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd and the part-timers in Deonarine, Crandon, Devon Clements and Foo will be useful during the next four days. The match begins at 9:30 hrs.
