The Coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to cricket in Guyana and around the world but as the players on the international scene prepare to take the field again some countries are already enjoying the beautiful game under strict health guidelines.
In Guyana, however, team sports and similar recreational events have not yet received the green light to resume but, in the meantime, a new cricket tournament is in the planning stage.
The Guyana Masters Cricket Association (GMCA) operates under the auspices of Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA).
The new and exciting ‘Big Man Cricket’ tournament will be played among local teams once permission to resume the beautiful game in the land of many waters is given.
The tournament will be for players 45-years and older who will play 45 overs-a-side contests using pink hard balls in the domestic tournament.
Players over 45 are being considered at the domestic level to create a pool of quality cricketers and to get them accustomed to the format so that they are ready if selected at the Over-50s level.
However, only players who will have attained 50 years of age on March 1st, 2022 will be eligible for selection at the national and regional levels.
Ideally, the organisers stated that they are looking to attract four teams from each of the counties to give as many players as possible the opportunity to turn back the clock. Interested persons, teams, clubs and/or sponsors are encouraged to enquire and sign up by contacting John Ramsingh of the GMCA, the local Organizing Committee via e-mail johnoramsingh@gmail.com, WhatsApp or telephone 664 3999 or Raj Singh via email rsinsurance63@gmail.com; WhatsApp +1239-699-7047.
Also, potential sponsors will be sought but interested organizations are also encouraged to contact the committee for details.
This tournament will be used to select a Guyana representative side to compete in the CWIMA Regional Over-50s tournament scheduled to be held in 2021. Additionally, the Regional tournament will be used to select players for the West Indies Over-50s side to play against other international teams and in the next Over-50s Cricket World Cup.
The first ever West Indies Over-50s Cricket team which was recently formed took part in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Cape Town South Africa in March 2020. Unfortunately, after 2 and a half matches, the tournament was called off due to the threat of Coronavirus. The next Over-50s Cricket World Cup is set to return to Cape Town in 2022 once given the go ahead.
