Guyanese wing out for regional tournaments …“I’m confident we will make Guyana proud” – skipper Permaul

By Rajiv Bisnauth –

After a farewell lunch hosted by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) at the Windjammer Hotel in Kitty, the national Super50 squad departed for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport en route to Antigua for their first round matches in this year’s regional Super50 tournament against the Leeward Islands.
The Guyanese, without a regional title since 1998, will be in action on Thursday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket ground.
At the function, GCB president, Dru Bahadur, wished the team all the best on behalf of the board, and urged the players to give of their best in the tournament.
Skipper Veersammy Perremaul told this newspaper in an exclusive interview before the team departed that the players are ready for the challenge ahead of them.
Despite the absence of the country’s premier batsmen, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Narsingh Deonarine, Permaul feels the squad is well balanced with a group of talented players.
“I think we’re prepared. We didn’t have much turf practice, and that is always a concern, but the guys are fully ready for the challenge.
I think it’s time now for the younger players to see this as a good opportunity for them to perform and stay in the team, especially the absence of Shiv, Sars and Deonarine. I am confident that we will make Guyana proud,” Permaul said.
Meanwhile, talented national Under-19 opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, West Indies ‘A’ team legspinner, Amir Khan and fast bowler Keon Joseph will join the squad on Thursday ahead of the first round of the Four-day version of the competition, which starts on Saturday.
Guyana will be without the services of Chanderpaul, Sarwan and Deonarine for the first three rounds of both tournaments. Sarwan and Deonarine are currently on duty with the West Indies team in Australia and will be selected upon availability.
Chanderpaul was not selected after he was given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the Bangladesh Premier League. However, he will join the squad upon his return.
Young T Chanderpaul is the only new face in the squad for the Four-day tournament, while all-rounders Ricardo Adams and Rajiv Ivan are newcomers in the Super50 squad announced by the selectors.
The 16-year-old left-handed T Chanderpaul, son of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, joins Rajendra Chandrika as the two opening batsmen named in the squad while, Chandrika will be joined by national T20 opener Trevon Griffith as his partner in the Super50 tournament.
West Indies middle-order batsman Assad Fudadin and fast bowler Paul Wintz return to the squad for both versions of the tournament, while fast bowler Joseph and leg- spinner Khan got the selectors’ nod for the Four-day tournament.
Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, and Veersammy Permaul, who were part of the national T20 squad in the recently concluded Caribbean T20 tournament, retain their places in the teams.
Wicketkeeper Derwin Christian maintains his position for both tournaments.
Permaul will be the skipper for both teams, while Barnwell and Johnson were named vice captain for the Super50 and Four-day tournaments respectively.
Alvin Johnson is the manager, while Esaun Crandon is the coach.
The Guyana Four-day squad reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, (vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Derwin Christian, Veerasammy Permaul (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, Keon Joseph and Amir Khan.
The Super50 squad reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Trevon Griffith, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Christopher Barnwell (vice captain), Steven Jacobs, Rajiv Ivan, Derwin Christian, Veerasammy Permaul (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz and Ricardo Adams.