Barbados Captain Carlos Braithwaite said he anticipates a “tough match” against Guyana although he is optimistic that his team will prevail when the two sides compete today in round three of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-day match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, the West Indies ‘A’ skipper said that the recent rain-affected matches involving his side have made the points table “a little more obscured than it actually is” adding that it is a “tough challenge coming to Guyana and playing them in their backyard.” Nevertheless, Braithwaite is confident that his team will come out on top.
The 26-year-old all-rounder further shared that the skipper Kraigg Brathwaite leaving the team prematurely to accompany the West Indies side to South Africa for their upcoming series is a huge loss to the side. “Kraigg Brathwaite will be a huge loss to any side, his stability and his leadership as Captain is something that will be missed, with that being said he is replaced by Kyle Corbin who has experience at the first-class level having played for the Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC), so it’s time for someone in the top order to raise their hands,” Braithwaite said.
A key player in any side, penetrative with the ball and a useful finisher down the order with the bat, the Bajan skipper identified his role in the team as both player and leader, emphasizing that his current form is good. “There’s not much for me to do but carry on the good work that Kirk Edwards started and Kraigg continued, as a player, I need a bit more consistency with the bat, with the ball I’m satisfied with the performances thus far,” he said.
The former Barbados Under-19 player said that preparation has been on point as “it’s two years preparation not just this season. I think we each cover all our bases well, we are very specific and every person knows what they need to do before each game, so in that regard, mentally we are in a good place.” However, he explained, “We haven’t been in the park as much as we like so I think in terms of physical preparation is not as ideal as we like but mentally everyone is in a good place, so it’s just a matter of carrying on the good work.”
Barbados had their second round against Jamaica washed out prior to drawing their first round match with Trinidad and Tobago while the home team got off to an innings and 10-run win over the Leewards which they followed up with a 92-run win over the Windwards Volcanoes. The Jaguars will now look to churn out the same performances from the first and second rounds while Barbados is in pursuit of a first win in the competition. Guyana will bank heavily on the in-form Narsingh Deonarine who has two centuries and more than a handful of wickets to his name, following his excellent start to the tournament. With the big three; Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul preparing themselves for the South African challenge, the Jaguars have brought in West Indies Under-19 openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer along with former West Indies Under-19 pacer Keon Joseph as replacements. The batting department will now flow around Deonarine, all-rounders Chris Barnwell and Raymon Reifer along with wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble and skipper Vishaul Singh who has replaced Johnson as captain.
The Jaguars will continue to bank on spinners Veerasammy Permaul who took 11 wickets against Windwards; Deonarine who is currently doing no wrong with bat or ball and a rejuvenated Devendra Bishoo whose seven wickets helped Guyana to overcome the Leewards in round one. Meanwhile, Ronsford Beaton, Barnwell and Reifer have been penetrative with the ball for the seam department.
Barbados on the other hand, will rely on their big guns to fire with the bat; opener Dwayne Smith is a world-class batsman and entertainer. Despite being regarded as a limited overs player, this level of cricket should be easy pickings for a player who has demolished the world’s best bowlers in various tournament and competitions. Support will come from Johnathan Crater, wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich; skipper Brathwaite, Corbin and others. The bowling section is tricky based on the players who might get the final nod, but with the likes of the fiery Tino Best, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Ashely Nurse and the all-rounders Smith and the captain, any combination will be a force to reckon with.
The match is expected to commence at 9am. Admission is free.
