Always my dream to represent Guyana – Stoll

By Rajiv Bisnauth 

Andre Stoll, the lone new face in Guyana’s 14 member squad which will defend their Regional T20 title from January 10 in Antigua, revealed that it has always being his dream to represent Guyana at the senior level. 

Stoll, in an invited comment by this publication, said that he is delighted to be a member of the squad. The new national player said his selection has a pleasant surprise, and is an opportunity that he would take full advantage of in an effort to fulfill expectations.

The under-19 national fast bowler further stated that hard work and dedication have earned him his dreams. “Over the last several weeks, I have been working overtime on the physical fitness and mental aspect of my game,” Stoll related. 

He further informed this newspaper that he intends to put his best foot forward at all times, so as to ensure that his family, friends and teammates are proud of his performances at the end of the tournament. “However, my aim is to be a permanent member of the team, as that’s the only way I can realise my goal to play for the West Indies. My aim is to keep on playing for as long as possible”, Stoll mentioned. 

The aspiring West Indies player is also a valuable lower order batsman, and joins Chris Barnwell and Esaun Crandon as the fast bowlers in the squad, which includes experienced West Indies middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and former West Indies players Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine and Royston Crandon. 

The squad was chosen after the completion of two days of fitness sessions that were conducted on Monday and Tuesday last under the watch ful eyes of Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Territorial Development Officer (TDO), Reon King, Coach Rabindra Seeram, and trainer Kezqweyah Yisrael, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. 

According to Seeram, the fitness level of most of the players is acceptable, meeting the requirements of the West Indies Cricket Board. The remaining eight players from the 22-man training squad have been put on standby. The team is expected to play three practice matches in Trinidad on December 28, 29, 30 before next year’s Caribbean Cup, which runs from January 10-23 in Antigua and Barbados. Guyana who are grouped with Jamaica, Windward Islands, Somerset and Combined Campuses and Colleges in Group ‘A’, open their campaign against the mighty Jamaicans on January 10 in Antigua, before they oppose Somerset, CCC and Windward Islands in their next three matches.