As teams begin preparation for next month’s Regional Super50 limited overs competition, the Guyana Jaguars are set to play three practice matches.
With those matches come opportunities for players to show their worth and break into the 50-over side.
On numbers alone, the selectors will have a tough time finding the best squad to send to Antigua.
The being hardly any cricket in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes the selectors’ job an even more daunting task as they look to select a side that will be able to win the title for the first time since 2005.
West Indies top order batsman Shimron Hetmyer has opted not to tour Bangladesh with the Caribbean side while Romario Shepherd, returned a positive COVID-19 test result which ruled him out of contention.
Keemo Paul is being rested.
The three being available for Guyana could boost the tewam’s chances of a title triumph.
Hetmyer, the former under-19 World Cup winning captain, will definitely boost the top order batting. His statistics suggest the 50-over format is his best version of the game, with five international tons and four half centuries.
Should Shepherd, who has reportedly been asymptomatic and in self-isolation, be cleared ahead of the tournament, the trio will likely be in the squad.
Shepherd and Paul will both boost the batting depth of the team. They will be able to provide that power hitting factor in the lower order. Their seam bowling has also been troublesome for Caribbean batsmen, particularly their death bowling and ability to pick up early wickets. Combined with their electrifying fielding, both players could provide key inputs in all facets of the game.
Similarly, Sherfane Rutherford could also be in the mix and provide that explosive X-factor. Known for his big hitting, T20 prowess, his contribution would be welcome not only with bat but as another seam option.
Their inclusion would help nagate the loss of left-arm fast bowling all-rounder, Raymon Reifer who is on tour with West Indies.
The selectors may also be tempted to integrate Nial Smith, who enjoyed a relatively successful first-class season last year, with the experienced campaigners. He, however, only played two 50-over matches and took one wicket.
Like Smith, Keon Joseph is also a contender in the pace line up. The West Indies A seamer has played just three List A matches since he made his debut some 11 years ago and will be anxiously awaiting a chance to show his worth in the format.
Essequibo’s Ronsford Beaton has had his share of setbacks, particularly being called for an illegal bowling action but while no official word has come, his action seems to have been cleared as he was one of the outstanding performers in the US Open T20 tournament.
Another seamer that would be waiting patiently for the practice matches in order to remind the selectors of his capabilities is Clinton Pestano. The 28-year-old quick has enjoyed relative success in his two seasons, taking 18 wickets from 14 matches. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club right hander is also a capable batsman and could add further depth to the batting order.
When it comes to spin bowling, Jaguars will miss their most reliable bowler in left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul, who is also touring with West Indies.
However, his absence, could pave the way for the inclusion of his Albion Cricket Club and fellow left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie or Anthony Adams.
Motie, 25 has played just 11 List A matches and has taken 10 wickets but has not yet played a full season since his debut back in 2016. His dominance in local tournaments speaks for itself as he finished as the second leading wicket taker in the 2019 Jaguars 50-over Franchise League. He picked up 18 wickets with a best of 5-29 against a star-studded Georgetown side.
The 27-year-old Adams has been knocking on the door for years and has shown his ability with both bat and ball. The left-arm spinner took 13 wickets in the Jaguars Franchise League with a best of 6-25 against West Berbice. He also played a few vital innings with the bat including two half centuries to end as one of the tournament’s top run getters.
Another candidate that would be looking to make his way into the side as an avenue towards regaining his place in the West Indies squad is veteran leg-spinner, Devendra Bishoo. The 35-year-old is the most experienced spinner, apart from Permaul. With 109 wickets in 81 matches, the Albion wizard could bring a wealth of experience to the bowling department.
As it relates to off-spinners, Ramaal Lewis has done the job for the South American mainland in the 2019 season, picking up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 3.92. While facing a knee injury in the past, should the former West Indies under-19 captain be fit, he could find himself in the squad.
Also, Jaguars could go for promising off-spinner, Kevin Sinclair, who featured for Super50 winners, West Indies Emerging Players, and ended as the tournament’s most economical bowler. The 20-year-old bagged 13 wickets at an economy rate of 2.8 while also making 132 runs with a best of 44.
Similar to Sinclair’s performance, Akshaya Persaud was also outstanding for the Combined Colleges and Campuses. The left-handed middle order batsman stroked two half centuries in five innings, averaging 34.25. Persaud also picked up four wickets with his left-arm spin.
Another player who could find themselves in the mix is former Jamaica Scorpions batsman, Assad Fudadin. The 35-year-old scored 345 runs in the last tournament. He averaged 43.12 with a best of 107 along with two half centuries. Fudadin has opened in the past for Guyana and could be an interesting partner for Chandrapaul Hemraj.
From the Jaguars’ perspective, Leon Johnson is likely to lead the side once again as he will be leading one of the practice teams. The other is being led by Hetmyer.
Johnson at 33, is arguably among the best regional captains around and brings a wealth of experience. His level-headed approach could prove valuable but his contributions with the bat will also be worthy. The left-hander scored 147 runs in eight innings last season with a best of 43.
Christopher Barnwell has been the side’s most consistent batsman in the last three seasons and finished as their leading run-scorer last year. Barnwell scored 351 runs, inclusive of three half centuries to end with an average of 43.87.
Jonathan Foo also gave a good account for himself in a comeback season, scoring 334 runs at an average of 55.66, the highest by any Jaguars’ batsman.
Hemraj is likely to be the team’s first-choice opener, having scored the side’s lone century in the tournament and coming off a decent Caribbean Premier League as well as U.S. Open.
It would be interesting to see who the selectors chose as his opening partner. His four-day partner, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, managed 139 runs with one half century in five innings but his strike rate of 48.6 raises eyebrows.
On the other hand, Trevon `Bugsy’ Griffith is one of the most versatile openers on the local scene. The left-hander missed out on the 2019 season but has continuously shown his abilities, most recently in the US. Griffith has so far chalked up five half centuries in 34 matches.
Wicketkeeper batsman, Kemol Savory was given two tries at the opening spot but scored four and nought. He showed better prospects at the number three position, scoring 71 on debut but finished the tournament with 85 runs and a strike rate of 48.29. But with Hetmyer back in the side, Savory could be asked to open if selected.
Savory’s selection could be a toss-up between himself and Anthony Bramble who is considered to be the first-choice gloveman. Bramble, has proven himself in the longer format but in List A cricket, averages just 20 with one half century in 38 innings.
Should Jaguars look to blood new players, West Indies under-19 batsman, Kevlon Anderson should be the premier choice. The right-hander was the only West Indian to score a century, though in a practice match, in South Africa while also scoring a brilliant 86 not out against England Under-19.
These players will be on show at the La Bonne Intention Cricket Ground on January 18, 21 and 23 for the practice matches.
