Cricketing turmoil

Sportsview by Neil Kumar, director of sport

Guyana’s cricket administrators are certainly bungling with the national sport. While I feel that president of the Guyana Cricket Board, Mr. Ramsey Ali, has good intentions and he certainly wants to see cricket develop in Guyana, there are some elements that are working against the development of cricket in the country.

Mark Harper’s miserable failure as coach of the national team and the recent questions raised by the cricketing fraternity, at home and in the diaspora, about the non-selection of Ramnaresh Sarwan in the Guyana squad makes me wonder about the state of Guyana’s cricket.

Sarwan is undoubtedly the first choice to captain the Guyana and West Indies teams. Further, he is the best batsman in Guyana. An explanation from the selectors for the sorry state of Guyana’s cricket team is long overdue.

Coach Mark Harper is out; that was expected. Skipper Assad Fudadin is out of the team without any explanation.

Brandon Bess was omitted without an explanation, while the inconsistent Jonathan Foo is also not included in the squad. The inclusion of Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon must be seen as tough and desperate decisions.

Both Deonarine and Chattergoon must make runs and establish themselves in the team. These two players are better suited for the longer version of the game. The four-day competition will have to be more solid with batting.

Chattergoon and Deonarine in particular are solid and experienced players and they must add depth and runs to the batting. It is sad that Foo and Fudadin are not in the team.

If it is a case of lack of discipline then they must be sanctioned.

However, it is difficult to understand why Foo who played several years for Guyana at the Under-19 level declined when he should have developed into a better cricketer and person. Fudadin is certainly a solid batsman who should have been in the West Indies team.

It is sad to see how this gifted cricketer lost his way and now he is out of the national team. Fudadin’s sudden omission cannot be accepted. He is too good a player for the selectors to drop without any explanation.

Several young players who dominated the Under-19 tournament in the Caribbean are falling by the way-side.

Many of those that demonstrated, at an early age, their tremendous talent and potential are now in the wilderness.

Gajanand Singh was indeed a young player who dominated the Caribbean Under-19 championship. Young Leon Johnson was a super all rounder. He went on to captain the West Indies Under-19 team and is now struggling to play cricket due to poor supervision and the absence of a proper mentor.

Guyana has certainly produced world class cricketers. We are continuing to produce good players, but our administrators seem to lack the ability to guide these young players to the highest level.

Ramnaresh Sarwan is undoubtedly an inspirational leader. He is a world class batsman who was groomed and prepared to lead the West Indies cricket team. He was given the opportunity to captain the West Indies team and it was rudely and vindictively taken away from him. As a consequence, West Indies cricket has fallen lower than ever before and is continuing to decline.

What is more uncomfortable is the obvious fall-out between some of the most senior players and the leadership of the West Indies Cricket Board.

Chris Gayle is not playing for the West Indies when he is highly rated as a world-class batsman and a useful bowler. Gayle is a utility player in any team who is currently playing better than he has ever played before and this makes it imperative that he is selected for the team.

Guyana must not fall into this trouble zone. Our administrators must lead. Ramsey Ali must assert himself and ensure that there is fair play and justice. It is most ugly when all the newspapers are calling for Sarwan’s inclusion in the Guyana team. He is indeed an “idol” and we must play him.

The selectors must publish immediately their criteria for selection. In this civilised world we must have established terms of reference. The basic criteria must be in writing. The non-selection of so many players, particularly the non-inclusion of Sarwan and the naming of Barnwell as captain need an explanation.

Leadership

Christopher Barnwell is far from ready to lead the Guyana team. What happened to Johnson, Deonarine and why even think about not having Sarwan? Young Barnwell is a cricketer with potential. He must not be burdened with captaincy. He needs to concentrate on his batting and bowling.

He needs an inspirational leader like Sarwan to guide and motivate him.

The reasons for leaving out Rajendra Chandrika are most devastating and unintelligent. Chandrika excelled at the West Indies Academy and went on to play very well for the West Indies ‘A’ team. He is a solid opening batsman who needs to be encouraged. It is an insult to not have him in the team. The same can be said about Johnson who is a far better captain than Barnwell.

Why is Brandon Bess not in the team?

He was at the West Indies Cricket Board’s Academy. He was identified as a future West Indies fast bowler. He played in a Test match. Further, indiscipline is a relative term.

It is my feeling that some of the cricket administrators are the most indisciplined people around cricket. If we have this level of indisciplined people among the administrators, when the Berbice Board is threatening to withdraw their players from the national team, then it is obvious that the players will be unable to focus on their cricket.

The time is most opportune for Ramsey Ali to turn his focus around the table and seriously discuss the future of Guyana cricket. Guyana needs a winning team. Ramnaresh Sarwan must be included and his widely accepted inspirational leadership qualities must be fully utilised.

Young Veerasammy Permaul was at the helm of the West Indies ‘A’ team. He is certainly a cricketer who has a tremendous future. He was a successful captain of the West Indies ‘A’ team and therefore should be allowed to play, and if possible captain the team.

The weak Guyana Cricket Board must have less confrontation and stay far from controversial issues. Play Sarwan.