Former champions, Guyana Harpy Eagles will look to get this season’s West Indies four-day championships off on a winning note when they come up against defending champions, Barbados Pride from today.
At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, Eagles, will look to put behind them the backlash and controversy that surrounded the players after the squad was announced.
Apart from skipper Leon Johnson stating that he learnt of the team selected via Facebook, there were also controversy over the selection of leftarm spinner Ashmead Nedd ahead of another left arm orthodox spinner Antony Adams.
their quest for a winning start against defending champions Barbados Pride from today.
Johnson, who will again captain the side this season and has led them to five consecutive titles in the past.
Johnson will have veteran spinner, Veerasammy Permaul supporting him in both leadership and on the field but with a number of key players missing, four newbies were included in the squad who could potentially make their first-class debuts.
Among them are wicketkeeper/batsman, Kemol Savory, who stamped his authority in the practice matches with a commanding 170 to secure his spot. If he can reproduce that form in this tournament, the Eagles could be well on their way to a solid start.
Another player making his mark is top order batsman, Matthew Nandu. The Everest Cricket Club strokemaker finished the practice matches only behind Savory in terms of runs, scoring two half-centuries.
In the absence of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, he could be on his way to opening the batting with his Everest clubmate, Chandrapaul Hemraj.
The top order could prove a task for head coach Ryan Hercules to decide with Tevin Imlach and Anthony Bramble other options to face the new ball. However, the decision will determine who will function behind the stumps since both players and Savory are bonafide glovemen.
The side is without middle order heavyweights, Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer which could see Guyana in an uncomfortable spot with early inroads and a lot could depend on Akshaya Persaud if given the opportunity. In the bowling department, Permaul will be supported by off-spinner Kevin Sinclair who has not only shown form with ball, but bat as well. This could be useful in the absence of all-rounders, Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul.
Eagles could possibly go into the match with three spinners, which would mean Ashmead Nedd will make his debut as the second left-arm spinner in the side as Gudakesh Motie is also with the West Indies side.
Alternately, Eagles could go into the battle with three seamers. This would result in Shamar Joseph being handed his first cap for the national side, joining Ronsford Beaton who last played a first-class match in March, 2016 and Nial Smith.
Meanwhile, Pride are in a similar position with the absence of key players in Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Raymon Reifer and Kemar Roach.
The experienced, Shane Dowrich will take up the reins of the side and despite a number of seasoned players missing, there is still a lot of experience within the squad which features the likes of Shamarh Brooks and Shayne Moseley as well as Jonathan Drakes, Shamar Springer, Keon Harding, Akeem Jordan and Chaim Holder.
Barbados Pride: Shane Dowrich (Captain) Camarie Boyce, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Drakes, Keon Harding, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Nicholas Kirton, Jair McAllister, Shayne Moseley, Zachary McCaskie, Shamar Springer, Kevin Wickham; Vasbert Drakes (Head Coach)
Guyana Harpy Eagles: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Nedd, Shamar Joseph; Ryan Hercules (Head Coach)
