Barbadian Raymon Reifer, the lone overseas player contracted by the Cricket Guyana Incorporated (CGI) franchise said yesterday that he was thankful for the opportunity of building a new career with the local team and is optimistic about himself and his team’s success in the forthcoming season.
“It’s a new opportunity for me in life,” he told Stabroek Sports yesterday in an exclusive interview from Barbados.
“I’m coming with a free mind to play cricket”, the 23 year-old all-rounder added.
The left-handed batsman, who was born in the parish of Saint Lucy, Barbados, first made his debut for the Combined Campuses and Colleges team against the Windward Islands in the 2010/11 Regional four-day competition and has so far made a name for himself as a key all-rounder.
Coming from a strong cricketing family, Reifer, the younger cousin of ex-West Indies Test and ODI Captain Floyd Reifer, explained that he is not in any way bothered by the possibility of relocating to Guyana to continue his still young career.
“As a professional cricketer you have to set your mind on everything. I have not heard anything as yet on what I have to do but at the end of the day I’m a professional and I want to contribute to my new team and help them win as well as doing good for myself so I can impress the West Indies selectors”, said a confident Reifer.
The left-arm, medium-fast bowler, who has played 23 first-class matches, amassing some 959 runs with six half-centuries and a top score of 89 to go along with his 31 wickets, expressed his elation about applying his trade here with the Guyana Jaguars team which includes local players Trevon Griffith, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson and Ronsford Beaton among others.
Reifer says he knows many of the local cricketers’ quite well from playing cricket and is looking to form a winning unit with the aforementioned.
The only overseas player in the Jaguars team, the Barbados Tridents player gave a bit of personal insight about who is Raymon Reifer.
“I give 100% each and every day. I’m cheerful, free of pressure and I come with a never-say-die attitude.
“As a batting all-rounder, I’m willing to play any role that is given to me. I’m just looking to perform to the best of my ability for myself and team.”
The new first-class franchise system, which is the brainchild of West Indies Cricket Board’s new Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus,
Seeks to ensure that players are employed in a work-like environment with their respective franchises.
This has prompted many to see this new venture as a way forward for Regional and West Indies cricket and Reifer was quick to openly admit that he was happy to be a part of the progression.
“I think it is a good thing for West Indies cricket. If you look at England, Australia and other countries, they do the same. Each state and each player should look at taking the opportunity with both hands,” he concluded.
The senior season is expected to commence November 14 and the Guyana Jaguars, under the watchful eyes of coaches and other technical staff, will enter their training camp at a date to be announced soon.
