Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit has been tasked with leading the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in the absence of regular skipper Martin Guptill who had to return to New Zealand because of his father’s illness.
Guptill has been replaced by fellow New Zealander wicketkeeper/batsman Luke Ronchi.
Emrit, while speaking to the media after the announcement of his appointment, indicated that he does intend to lead from the front with wickets and runs to see his side into the playoffs of the tournament.
Touching on the inclusion of Ronchi who is coming off a decent run in the just-concluded Natwest T20 Blast in England where he scored 429 runs at a strike rate of 180.25 for Leicestershire, Emrit added: “Yeah, Luke [Ronchi] has been in some good form in the T20 blast in England and that is why we thought that he would be a good addition to the team.
“He is exciting at the top of the order and I still think that’s the impetus we need at the top of the order. Chadwick [Walton] and Sohil [Tanvir] have done it in the last two games and if he [Ronchi] can come in and do the same thing then it will be less pressure on the guys at the back end of the innings,” the 36-year-old remarked.
Emrit, who is no stranger to leadership after being in charge of his native side on a number of occasions in the absence of senior player in Dwayne Bravo and Danesh Ramdin, will have to do his bit to inspire his players for a stern challenge ahead in their next two matches against the Tridents and Tallawahs, both matches being away from home.
The South American franchise is currently fourth on the points table with six points from three wins.
Coach Roach Harper, while emphasizing the loss of Guptill, pointed out the value of Ronchi adding that his side will have to “play good cricket” in each department to come out on top. He also backed Emrit to do well since he has captained the side in the past.
