With the first Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match rained out last week, the second match will now be played all the way on the West Coast of Demerara at the Meten-Meer-Zorg community ground.
All trial matches were initially scheduled to be played at the historic Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground at Bourda. However, despite the ground being match ready for this week’s game, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has made the decision to have the match moved. An official from the GCB has pointed out that due to the weather forecast which predicts rain for most of this week, and the fact that Bourda floods easily, the board took the decision to use the West Demerara venue instead. It should be noted that rain is also forecast for West Demerara.
An official from GCC has contended that after meetings last week between the club and the GCB, the issue of rental fees for the use of the venue was a major factor in the trial match being shifted.
The official who wished to remain anonymous explained to Stabroek Sport that the club will now charge rental fees for use of the ground as it seeks to expand income to keep the iconic club afloat.
The source also noted that the GCB only notified the club of the venue change on Sunday night via a phone call to the club captain, an action that was deemed unprofessional.
On Monday, the GCB sent out a press release notifying of the venue change. The release read; “After rain ruined the first practice trial game for the Guyana Harpy Eagles last week, the defending Regional 4-Day Champs will have another opportunity to prepare starting Tuesday (today), ahead of next month’s start to the 2024 Regional season”.
“With action shifting to the Meten-Meer-Zorg Ground, both sides will be looking to hit the ground running, with the core players especially wanting that time in the middle before the actual title defense bowls off. Torrential rain was widespread last week, spoiling action and any efforts to ensure that some cricket could have been played at the Bourda Ground”, it said.
The release further stated; “Due to the recent patch of sunshine coupled with their new match venue, which hosted an intense T20 double-header this past weekend; the Eagles will be banking on making the most of this final opportunity before the tournament bowls off in the first week of February”.
This trial match could potentially be the only chance that the players have to get much needed time in the middle as well as give the selectors a chance to pick the best possible team.
The respective XIs are:
Antony Adams’ XI (Team A) – Anthony Adams (Captain); Sachin Singh; Rampertab Ramnauth; Kevlon Anderson; Akshaya Persaud; Zachary Jodah; Zeynul Ramsammy; Joshua Persaud; Aryan Persaud; Junior Sinclair; Quentin Sampson; Rivaldo Phillips; Sylus Tyndall; Malcom Hubbard; Adrian Hetmyer; Bruce Vincent and Clinton Pestano.
Coach: Ryan Hercules
Matthew Nandu’s XI (Team B) – Matthew Nandu (Captain); Raymon Perez; Shamar Yearwood; Kemol Savory; Richie Looknauth; Brandon Jaikaran; Jonathan Rampersaud; Jonathan Van Lange; Gulcharran Chulai; Veerasammy Permaul; Nial Smith; Thaddeus Lovell; Ronsford Beaton; Ashmead Nedd; Ronald Alimohamed; Ushadeva Balgobin and Steven Sankar. Coach: Garvin Nedd
