Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) Director Drubahadur yesterday said that he expects the Guyana Jaguars to take full advantage of their first three home games against Leewards, Windwards and Barbados when the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League 4-day matches bowl off this Friday at the Guyana National stadium, Providence.
“After a number of years we are starting the season here with a home field advantage so that’s a big plus. After last season the players did some soul searching and this year the cricket is getting more competitive so now it’s entirely up to the players to continue,” said the CGI executive during his brief interview with Stabroek Sports yesterday.
The 13-man Jaguars team led by West Indies Test opener Leon Johnson features a mixture of young but experienced players who are no strangers to regional or international cricket as it boasts six five former Test players in; Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and one current Test cricketer in Johnson himself.
He highlighted the presence of Chanderpaul in the side, deeming the 40 year-old West Indies batsman’s availability as precious and encouraging to the young cricketers. “It’s always good to have Shiv in the team. A lot of younger players look up to him and want to be like him it’s like you have your father in the camp who you can look up to and learn from”.
With a wealth of batting and bowling talent at their disposal, Drubahadur pointed out that due to the highly competitive and fruitful performances he witnessed during the period of encampment, he is optimistic that the Jaguars are ready to overcome any obstacles in their way.
“As you can see we had the players encamped for a while and after seeing the performances we are very optimistic although we still have work to do. Last season we started off on the wrong foot with two of our senior players being out with injuries and we also played the 50-over format first before switching to the 4-day, that could have been one of the reasons why the players were exhausted. Drubahadur went on to admit that “We have learnt from our mistakes likewise the players have also learnt”.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president further indicated that another reason players are more upbeat and confident about their game this season is due to the WICB’s initiative to implement the franchise system which now ensures a monthly salary to all contracted players as well as affording those who are eligible for the “Pay-for-play” option a chance to earn money if selected to play.
In closing the CGI Director said that he….“would be disappointed,” based on what the franchise has put to get players primed and ready for the season ahead if the team does not reach the semi-final.
“It will be disappointing but we are very optimistic about playing the opening games in our backyard,” he added. The Leewards team which departed for Guyana last evening is expected to participate in their first practice session later today at the Everest Cricket ground.
