At 22, Ronsford Beaton, the Guyana Amazon Warriors speedster has become one of the most lethal bowlers in the Caribbean and especially Guyana.
Beaton, is regarded as one of the most promising young fast bowlers in the region and has already represented the West Indies `A’ team, which suggests that a place in the West Indies senior team cannot be too far off.
Beaton, who hails from Reliance, Essequibo, is aiming to don the West Indies cap.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports, he revealed that he will be using the third edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament as a launchpad to cement a place in the West Indies T20 team ahead of the 20/20 World Cup.
“After the CPL this year I’m looking to get and cement a place in the West Indies T20 team ahead of the 20/20 World Cup”, declared the Montserrat-born quick bowler.
He said one of his goals is to show persons that he definitely developing.
“I don’t want people to say I’m still young because I’m getting older every day.”
Adding to his comments about growing and developing, Beaton, who endured a successful season last year, still found himself in a few situations bowling at the `death’ which was exploited by experienced batsmen.
He has admitted that he was indeed under a bit of pressure due to it being his first year of handling such responsibility at the back end of the innings, adding that he has been doing a lot of spot bowling lately to correct those issues.
“This year if I’m called upon to bowl in the pressure situations I will be more equipped to handle the responsibility. This year will be different from last year,” he added.
According to Beaton, overall he has done a lot of work on his bowling and especially in the areas of bowling in crucial situations.
The right-arm seamer, who has seven wickets from 11 matches, said that he believes that the Warriors have a good team this season and a team that can finally break the jinx of reaching the final and not being able to complete the mission adding that the new-look Warriors team was still deadly.
Beaton also spoke highly about his potential new-ball partner in Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga.
“Despite the changes we still have a balanced team and four good overseas players.”
“The big plus for me is that one of the most experienced T20 bowlers in the world, Lasith Malinga is with us and I plan on learning everything I can from him and possibly sharing the bowling,” he disclosed.
The former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 player also expressed optimism about playing under new Head Coach Carl Hooper.
“Hooper is a very experienced player, I’m looking to grasp as much as I can both on and off the field. Apart from the new coach I’m also looking forward to working with all the other players,” he said.
As far as predictions go, the West Indies A bowler said that he is convinced that his team will win the third edition of the LCPL, hands down.
“Everyone knows we are a dangerous team we managed to each he finals twice and by the grace of god we will win.”
When asked if he was indeed confident of bringing the title back home after two consecutive seasons of trying and not being able to cross the final hurdle, Beaton concluded his interview by saying, “Yes! the only thing I can see is that we will win this year’s CPL.”
