Two-time Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finalists the Guyana Amazon Warriors, yesterday winged out for Barbados ahead of Saturday’s opening match of the tournament’s third season against defending champions, Barbados Tridents.
Accompanied by Head Coach Carl Hooper and Manager Omar Khan, along with stars Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Shiv Chanderpaul, Sunil Narine, Chris Barnwell, Brad Hodge, Lendl Simmons, Ronsford Beaton and others, the team departed local shores via the Ogle International Airport in their quest to finally lift the coveted CPL20/20 title.
In an invited comment, Stabroek Sports caught up with Bishoo who recently returned from a personally successful Test series between the west Indies and Australia, said that he was happy to represent his home country in this season.
“Playing for Guyana and playing for home you don’t want anything more, he said.
“Growing up as a little kid I always wanted to play for Guyana. It makes you have more respect for your country and helps you to enjoy your game more,” he added.
Bishoo, who missed the second Test due to an injured finger, said that he is feeling better physically, although he continues to nurse his wound. “My finger is not a hundred percent but it is feeling better as the days go by so it’s getting better and I’m in a bit of form so I just have to take care of the finger and try to enjoy every game,” he said.
The leg-spinner, who represented the current champions, the Tridents in the first year said that teamwork will be essential not just for Saturday’s outing but the entire tournament.
“The whole thing about it is that you have to stick together and play as one unit and try to enjoy your cricket and just keep putting your best foot forward”.
Another Guyanese bowler and Amazon Warriors newbie Paul Wintz said that he was delighted to be a part of the team for the first time.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of the Amazon Warriors team for my first time. Preparation wise it was very intense and the coach made it clear we must execute what we are going to do in the games.”
Speaking about working with the former Guyana and West Indies player turned coach, the fast-bowler said: “Everybody knows he’s a man with a lot of experience and locally, he’s a Guyanese and he relates to us very well.”
The right-arm swing bowler also said his current form is “85 percent” and after the game he sat with Hooper and did assessments to which the coach was relatively satisfied with his bowling. He also said that the playing field this season is even due to most teams having a young squad with experienced overseas players to back them up.
Guyana will have two additional days of training in Barbados before locking horns with their opponents from last year in a highly anticipated return opening match.
