Over the years, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have come extremely close to lifting the Hero Caribbean Premier League’s trophy but never quite made it across the finish line and according to Warrior Devendra Bishoo the team is hungry this year.
“This year we have a good bunch of guys, the previous years we had a good guys and stuff but this year I think everybody is more hungry for it. Over the years, we have been reaching finals, semis and we just need the one push more and I think we got it this year.”
The 32-year-old Berbician said the aim is to take one match at a time and ensure that they perform their best. He noted that they will now commence training since most of the squad arrived in Guyana ahead of the August 8 bowl off.
“We have to put in the work when it comes to training because some the other teams start training already and we are now starting. We just have to believe in our ability, believe in our process, believe in ourselves and focus on one game at a time and take it step by step. Don’t look at the final because we haven’t qualified as yet so take it one by one and enjoy it the whole tournament.”
Bishoo has long been looked upon as the man to revive leg-spin bowling in the West Indies. Having churned out wickets at the domestic level for Guyana, Bishoo’s turning point came in the 2010 West Indies T20 tournament, when he helped Guyana win the tournament and also helped them qualify for the Champions League T20.
He won the Man of the series in that tournament, picking up 10 wickets in four matches at an astonishing average of 8.20 and with a superb economy rate of 5.12. Guyana put on a poor show at the Champions League, but Bishoo came out of the tournament with his head held high. His attacking style of bowling won him many admirers and he was chosen to play in the 2011 World Cup.
He made his debut against England at Chennai, India and made an immediate impression. He changed the course of the match by picking up the key wickets of Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright and ended up with 3/34 in his 10 overs. It was this fine spell that announced him on the world stage. He continued to progress upwards. He had a wonderful T20 debut against Pakistan when he picked up 4/17 to help the Windies to victory. This earned him his first Man of the Match award.
He continued to torment Pakistan in the ODI series with 11 wickets at an average of 17.18. It was indeed a proud moment for him and Guyana when he was awarded the Test cap on his home ground. Like in the ODIs and T20Is, he had an immediate impact by picking up 4/68. In the second innings, he shared a crucial 48-run stand with Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the last wicket to help the Windies get to safety.
Bishoo credits all his success to his parents. Having lost his father 17 years ago, his mother gave him the strength to achieve his goals. Every time he goes out on the field wearing the West Indies cap, he takes a moment to remember his father, who had wanted him to be part of the West Indies. Today, looking at the rise of Devendra, Mohanlal Bishoo would be a very proud father indeed.
Bishoo’s immense talent saw him deservedly bag the ICC Emerging Player Award in 2011.
Bishoo promises an extravagant show when the Guyana Amazon Warriors hits the field and urges Guyanese supports to come out in their numbers. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
