Left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul, continues to push the boundaries as he became the first bowler to take 500 first-class wickets playing for Guyana, a record he said he never imagined in his wildest dreams of attaining.
Playing in his 130th first-class match, the 33-year-old removed Barbados Pride’s Keon Harding to reach the landmark in the first round of the West Indies Championships in Antigua last week.
He now sits on 574 first-class wickets, although 31 of those has come from Test cricket where he has played nine matches for the West Indies during his decade-old career.
“First of all I want to give God the praise and thanks on achieving this milestone. I want to dedicate this to my parents, father and late mother for the sacrifice they have done for me over the years,” Permaul said after reaching this feat.
Persaud said representing his country has been a privilege.
“I’m very happy to achieve this milestone, playing for Guyana over the years and being one of the most consistent performers over the years.
“It was always a privilege representing my country, I never dreamt of getting 500 first-class wickets for my country.I want to thank God for this, I never thought it would be this way, but God knows best,” he said.
‘Gunner,’ as he is commonly referred to by his peers, reflected on his upbringing in the sport dating back to junior days at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club under the leadership of Vemen Walter and senior players such as Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon, all of whom had an impact on his career from the start. His involvement in the sport led to a 2007 first-class debut against the Windward Islands at St. George’s, Grenada. The match ended in a draw but the 17-year-old spinner, who was playing under Deonarine’s captaincy, picked up 4-83, removing Devon Smith for 34 after he was caught by wicketkeeper, Derwin Christian.
He has not looked back since.
“I like four-day cricket, it tests your patience, fitness and concentration, we always stress in meetings the importance of this format of the game is patience and over the years we see once a bowler or batsman show this, they achieve success,” he said.
Permaul’s next goal is to go past former Jamaica spinner, Nikita Miller in the wickets column and help Guyana reprise their four-day championship which they won five years consecutively prior to being dethroned by Pride.
