Guyanese trio off to West Indies Under-19 World Cup

By Akeem Greene

Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach left Guyana on Tuesday for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.

Arguably three of Guyana’s most talented youth players will be participating in the 11th edition of the 50 overs under-19 World Cup.

When Guyana Times International Sport spoke to the players at the Guyana Cricket Board Office (GCB), Bourda, they all expressed confidence and jubilation ahead of the trip.

Captain of the side is the Guyanese dynamic opening left handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer who is elated to have the honor of leading this prestigious Caribbean side. “I would like to thank my family for all the support and it is a real honour to be leading the team; this is the first time I’m really leading a big team so I’m really looking forward to it”, the Young Warriors Cricket Club player revealed.

Hetmyer who is no way new to the West Indies under-19 team having played numerous times before on various tours is banking on having the support of all his players when on the field and will be looking to lead from the front with his batting. “ It’s all of the three areas of captaincy I have to work on but I expect all the guys to chip in, we have been friends for a while now; and with regards to my batting I know my game and what style I will play”, the captain said.

Top order batsman Tevin Imlach is focused ahead of his first major overseas campaign. The playing conditions of the Under-19 World Cup usually mirror those of the senior tournaments and the player is no way daunted by the task at hand. When quizzed about his game plan the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player explained that “as a top order batsman you have to be patient and defend the good balls and score of the bad ball; as it regards the two new balls that are a part of the game right now, it is a good thing, it means the balls will remain harder late in the innings and will help me in playing through the line of the ball”.

Vice Captain of the team is Essequibo’s Keemo Paul, and the all rounder is expecting to fire on both cylinders to help his side get over the line in tough situations.

“I just want to stick to the basics with my game, I know the role I have to play with bat and ball and will try to do my best when called upon” the player said. He further added that it is a great honor to be named Vice captain alongside a Guyanese skipper and wishes to represent the region and country proudly.

Quizzed about the regional side’s chances, Paul said “since we started training the main goal has always been to win the world cup so will be putting our best effort in to achieve this”.

West Indies are in placed in Group C alongside England, Fiji and Zimbabwe and will play their first game on January 29 against England. They will then play Fiji on January 31 followed by Zimbabwe on February 2.

The full squad reads: Shimron Hetmyer (Captain), Keemo Paul (Vice Captain), Kacey Carty, Shahid Crooks, Michael Frew, Jyd Goolie, Tevin Imlach, Ryan John, Alzarri Joseph, Kirstan Kallicharan, Obed McCoy, Gidron Pope, Odean Smith, Shamar Springer, Emmanuel Stewart. Dwain Gill (Team Manager), Graeme West (Head Coach).