Guyana Amazon Warriors’ all-rounder, Romario Shepherd finished the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as the joint second highest wicket-taker in the tournament but it was a conversation during a rained out West Indies match that changed his perspective.
Though Warriors did not get past the semi-final stage, in nine innings Shepherd ended with 18 wickets, one behind Trinbago Knight Riders’ Ravi Rampaul and the same amount as teammate Odean Smith.
Compared to the previous season, Shepherd tripled the number of wickets he took. He also sent down 33 overs this season compared to last season where he bowled just 19 overs.
In a recent interview with this publication, the 26-year-old seamer disclosed that it was Dwayne Bravo and West Indies head coach, Phil Simmons that aided in his transformation.
“I was in discussions with DJ Bravo mainly and coach Simmons, during the games in Guyana that was rained out Bravo and I had a long chat then coach came in and I can safely say I used a lot of stuff from that conversation in this CPL,” he said.
Shepherd also pointed out that Warriors’ captain, Nicholas Pooran, told him that he will have the opportunities this year to be great.
“Before the tournament got started `Skip’ called me and he wanted this to be my break out year in CPL.
He said all the years before I was doing good, he wanted me to be great this year he will also give me opportunities with the bat and I have to bowl all his tough overs in the powerplay and in the death and he did live up to his word, I can tell you by giving me that Super Over,” he explained.
However, despite his exceptional performance, Shepherd was overlooked for the West Indies T20 World Cup squad.
After that, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali revealed he contacted Shepherd and told him to keep his head high.
Shepherd expressed, “He told me a lot of positive stuff and it was a really great feeling you know that the President actually took time out to give me some advice and encouragement.”
To date, Shepherd has played seven One Day Internationals and six T20Is for West Indies.
