Guyana Harpy Eagles head coach, Ryan Hercules, is encouraging the young players to utilize their opportunities in the upcoming two practice matches to show the selectors their potential and knock on the door for spots in the side.
Harpy Eagles will play two four-day practice matches over the next nine days beginning from 09.30 hours today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Veerasammy Permaul leading the two sides.
Speaking with this publication on the eve of the first day, Hercules reckoned, “For the young players I say do make the best of it. It is the perfect chance for the likes of Kevlon Anderson, Matthew Nandu, Mavindra Dindyal, Isai thorne and others to stake claims and show selectors their worth in terms of not just getting into the team but being part of the franchise and set up.”
Meanwhile, the head coach contended that the senior players are also expected to guide the younger ones and set the example.
“In terms of the seasoned players we do have discussions with them in terms of what is expected of them to be the ones to guide the young players as well, lead from the front and set the example. Going in the practice games we look forward to them being the ones setting the example, set the bar high for the young ones,” he noted.
Despite the absence of players such as Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Leon Johnson, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh, Hercules highlighted that there is still a bank of players who have been around for years including Permaul, Chanderpaul, Hemraj, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Antony Adams and Tevin Imlach.
Preparation has not gone ideally for the former champions, but Hercules is optimistic that his unit will make the most of what is in front of them.
He posited, “We hope that we do get these two games in making the best of what we have, I do trust the process of most of the guys who have been playing so long and their skillsets. The weather has been against us, we can’t control that, whatever we get we will make the best of, we did some work at the Gymnasium earlier this week, we have been doing a lot of strength and conditioning work over the past few weeks so in terms of the preparation, we haven’t gotten what we wanted because of the weather, and we will make the best of whatever is offered.”
Veerasammy Permaul XI: Veerasammy Permaul (captain), Mathew Nandu, Tevin Imlach, Kevlon Anderson, Akshaya Persaud, Rampertab Ramnauth, Shamar Yearwood, Junior Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Ronsford Beaton, Isai Thorne, Nial Smith, Richie Looknauth, Garfield Benjamin
Tagenarine Chanderpaul XI: Tagenarine Chanderpaul (captain), Kemol Savory, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Mavindra Dindyal, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Alvin Mohabir, Gudakesh Motie, Antony Adams, Shamar Joseph, Sylus Tyndall, Demetri Cameron, Jonathan Rampersaud, Zynul Ramsammy
