– Shiv Chanderpaul returns after injury
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Guyana’s Team Manager Alvin Johnson remains positive his side can bounce back in the current West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day Tournament, despite two consecutive defeats.
He, however, was unable to explain the cause of the poor batting displays, but called for a show of maturity and concentration, particularly from his senior players.
“It’s a tough one to explain,” he said. “Ultimately, there are guys who need to put in some big performances. They know that there will be some questions asked about their form over a period of time.”
“It’s important that they put their hands up and put in some match-winning performances going forward,” Johnson said on Tuesday, after Head Coach Esaun Crandon refused to speak with this publication at the conclusion of the squad’s net session.
“We’ve certainly got to bat better, we’ve got to get better at batting full stop,” Johnson said.
In contrast, Johnson praised the bowlers for their decent performances, adding that the bowlers have been outstanding so far.
The current tournament has shown in no uncertain manner that there is a lack of commitment on the field among some of the current crop of the Guyanese players.
The Guyanese have shown major weaknesses in several areas of the game and have looked like amateurs just learning the game.
Their running between the wickets has been poor, and the overall batting is well below what is expected at this level.
They were beaten by hosts Jamaica by seven wickets last week before being humbled in their own backyard by 131 runs by Barbados inside three days on Sunday.
Boost
Meanwhile, veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul will return to the Guyana’s line-up for the third round game against the Windward Islands, beginning from Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara from 10:00h daily.
The evergreen left-hander missed Guyana’s first two games because of an injured thumb, is the only change to the 13-man squad. He replaces fellow left hander Chanderpaul Hemraj, who was called up for the last game against Barbados, but did not make the final eleven.
Chanderpaul will take over the leadership role of the side from stand-in captain Christopher Barnwell and will definitely boost the Guyanese batting line-up that was severely depleted for the first two games.
Further, Johnson disclosed that batsmen Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson are still unavailable because of injuries.
According to Johnson, fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who missed the last game against Barbados because of a side injury, has recovered fully, but he has not been included in the final squad.
The Guyana squad for the third round reads: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Tagnarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell (vice-captain), Amir Khan, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh.
