By Romario Samaroo
Trinbago Knight Riders’ opening batsman, Anton Devcich has expressed his excitement after making his Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) debut against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence on Sunday. The New Zealand player admitted that he loves playing in the biggest party in sport.
“I was over the moon when I got picked up in the draft, you know it’s one of those things where you put your name in the hat and never really think you’re going to get picked up but to come to Trinbago Knight Riders is a dream come through.”
Devcich relishes the fortune to be joined by so many superstars in the CPL.
“CPL has some fantastic players and I’m hoping to get a lot of knowledge and experience out of them.”
One of the best moments for Devcich was to meet the Prince of Port of Spain, Brian Charles Lara.
“He was the guy that got me started playing cricket. I am a huge fan of Lara and I loved watching him play against Australia and New Zealand. Every time the boys from the Caribbean came down under I was there.”
And while in Port of Spain preparing for CPL matches, Devcich got the opportunity to meet his hero and he also paid a visit to Lara’s home where he had a chat with the legend himself.
The left handed batsman replaced fellow Kiwi, Brendon McCullum for the crucial game in Guyana but only managed seven runs with the bat, but returned with the ball to pick up the valuable wickets of Dwayne Smith and Chris Lynn with his left arm orthodox bowling.
Devcich expressed his like for the set up at the Providence Stadium, admiring its architecture and the crowd’s energetic partying style. “It’s a great little stadium here in Guyana and the crowds so close to the oval is simply amazing,” Devcich said.
The 30 year old will forever remember his CPL debut and said “To win our first game on the road and my first game in the CPL is something truly amazing and I think our bowling has let us down in the past but for me to contribute in this way for my team is great.”
Devcich was quick to point out the difference he noticed by playing in both the CPL and in New Zealand is the love of the load music and the energy of the crowd all of which comes with the biggest party in sport.
“The music is loud, it is very different from New Zealand but it is exciting.”
The left handed batsman was particularly surprised at the way the crowds got behind the Amazon Warriors when they were winning and at some points almost became silent, never failing to express their emotions.
“They really get into the game when their team is doing well and it is very exciting,” he noted.
Devcich is very upbeat to continue playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders in their next match against the Barbados Tridents at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Saturday as the defending champions look to press on their claim for back to back championships which have started poorly with the champs losing their three of their home matches but bounced back to win their first match on the road.
