Since the commencement of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) for the 2014/2015 Regional 4-Day season, Guyana Jaguars have been ‘team consistent, winning three successive titles.
However, in that period, they have only successfully seen the elevation of Rajendra Chandrika, Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer to the senior West Indies Test team. Barbadian-born Raymon Reifer is currently part of the Test squad while Keon Joseph has become a consistent face in the West Indies ‘A’ teams. Ronsford Beaton who was part of the “A” team has been included in the Windies T20 squad recently but is yet to wear an international cap.
Guyana have not only won titles but they have dominated oppositions both at home and away. Despite this encouraging fact, captain Leon Johnson revealed that they are more focused on developing future stars for the West Indies.
“Our assistant coach, always stresses to the players that he doesn’t want to see them just play for Guyana their goal must only be performing for Guyana and then playing for West indies and also doing well for West Indies,” Johnson said.
The first season of the PCL Regional 4-Days began in November 2014 just two months after Johnson made his Test debut against Bangladesh. The stylish left-handed batsman has since played eight additional matches, a disappointing stat for a batsman with enormous potential.
“The focus is not always on winning a championship, we don’t set out at the start of a season to win a championship, that more comes down to the end of the season when we realise we have done well and is to push for the title.”
He added, “We always encourage each other to do well go on to play for the West Indies.”
