Guyana national player, Akshaya Persaud, has been named in defending champions, Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) Marooners side for the upcoming Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 next month.
Persaud, 22, has been selected in the side as an all-rounder, batting in the middle-order and bowling left-arm spin following successive trials in Trinidad and Tobago as well as in Barbados.
In Trinidad, the trial matches were disrupted by rain but nevertheless, in a 30-over affair, the left-hand batsman scored 51 and took a wicket to be selected along with four Trinidadians for the next trial in the land of the flying fish. It was consistent performances again there that earned him a spot in the side.
Speaking to this publication on the importance of this selection, Persaud explained, “It’s mean a lot to me. It’s a different working environment so I had to make some quick adjustments. I’ve been working really hard over the past months on my all-round game so it’s good to see some progression moving forward. From training in the mornings with [Guyana] Jaguars to going to gym after lunch and then going home and put in some extra work as well. My family and I’ve sacrificed a lot to get to where I am today and without them a lot of things wouldn’t have been possible.”
Persaud, who represented Guyana Jaguars in two first-class games expressed, “I see this opportunity as a learning one,” and his eagerness to learn from the senior guys since he is the youngest in the group while stating, “I see it as another opportunity to build my limited overs career because this will be my first senior regional limited overs tournament. I’ve played a few first-class games with the Guyana Jaguars team so I got an idea what to expect from playing in such tournaments.”
Wary of the title the team boosts as defending champions, Persaud was conscious of the expectations from the team and indicated that he is willing to do what is required of him to retain the title but “from a personal perspective I would just go out and enjoy whatever I’m doing. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I just want to contribute with both the bat and ball for the team.”
Marooners will open their title defence against Leeward Island Hurricanes on November 6 in St. Kitts before battling Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpians and Canada.
Marooners squad: Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Drakes, Akshaya Persaud, Akeem Jordan, Romaine Morris, Ojay Shields, Abhijai Mansingh, Sadique Henry, Odain McCatty, Paul Palmer, Kavesh Kantasingh, Jarlarnie Seales, Larry Joseph, Pedro Collins (Head Coach), Robert Samuels (Assistant Coach), Shane Lewis (Manager), Kwayne Dalrymple (Physiotherapist), Avenesh Seetaram (Video Analyst)
