As the lone overseas player in the Guyana Jaguars side, Barbadian Raymon Reifer is looking to build on his debut season and to grab the attention of the West Indies selectors once chosen to represent his adopted country again for the upcoming 2015/16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) tournament.
Reifer, 24 born St. Lucy, Barbados, was drafted by the local franchise prior to the launch of the new franchise system by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) last season. After relocating to Guyana in order to honor his contract, the all-rounder quickly became a key member in the side which won back the Regional four-day tittle after more than a decade.
When contacted yesterday, the all-rounder told Stabroek Sports that while his first period was decent, once selected to continue his trade with the Jaguars his aim for the new upcoming season is to build on his debut stint while keeping one eye trained on making a possible West Indies side.
“If selected again to play for Guyana for the PCL I will be looking to build on my performances as well as looking to get into the West Indies team,” he declared.
He also expounded on his past few months living and playing cricket in Guyana saying, “Obviously coming to Guyana was different but I came to play and I had to adapt as fast as possible but I enjoyed playing for Guyana.”
During the PCL 4-day tourney Reifer, who comes from a rich cricketing family, chipped in with 227 runs and one half-century along with a few decent starts with the bat. He also picked up eight wickets with the ball.
This time Reifer will be looking to cement his spot in a dominant Guyana team which managed to win all but one of their 10 games, inevitably regaining the coveted title.
Speaking about this historic win, he said:“I enjoyed winning the tournament and any player who plays to win it says a lot about that player.”
He declared the match against Barbados where he scored an unbeaten 41 in the second innings to help the Jags complete a good win as his highlight moment. “The best moment was playing against Barbados where we were behind and I tried to relax in the situation and get the target, obviously that helped the team get over the line.”
As the new kid on the block, the former Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) player was given a category A contract, the highest in the franchise set up as it facilitated him to live comfortably in Guyana for the designated period which he was contracted to train and play and while his newbie tag would have worn off by now, he has already slotted nicely into the team.
“At the beginning the conditions were a bit difficult compared to Barbados but as I got accustomed I enjoyed it and I didn’t let being the only overseas player in the team to get to me. It’s (Guyana) different but the conditions are good I was never uncomfortable I never felt like I wanted to go back home I’m still enjoying it right now,” he said with some humor.
He also lauded his teammates for making him feel at home during his stint, as he was already familiar with some of the players in the team after playing against them from time to time. “I get along well with everyone and I have a lot of respect for them and that makes things easier”.
Switching gears to the upcoming third edition of the 2015 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Reifer who represented the defending champions Barbados Tridents last season said he is anxious to apply his skills as a member of the newly founded St Kitts & Nevis franchises, which consists of stars such as Shahid Afridi, Marlon Samuels, Martin Guptill and others.
“It’s a new team and there is a lot of different players from all over so I’m preparing myself to get the best opportunity to perform while enjoying my cricket. With all the international players in an environment like that you can learn little points which can take you to the next level because they are internationals for some reason so you have to try to get around them and get advice.”
