By Rajiv Bisnauth
With just hours more before the start of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2014, Guyana Times International Sport chatted with four local members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad prior to their departure from the Grand Coastal hotel on Tuesday for Grenada.
The local franchise will play the Antigua Hawksbills on Friday at 14:00h, their first of nine preliminary games before returning home for three games.
Opener Trevon Griffith, who played one game in the first edition of the tournament last year, said he feels very excited and honoured to play in the Limacol CPL once again and is focused on playing a major role for his team in this year’s competition.
“Last year I played one game so I’m looking forward to playing more games this year and hopefully grasp any opportunity I get with both hands.” Griffith reiterated that he was “happy to be a part of the team again” as it is a “big opportunity.”
Meanwhile, 25 year-old debutant Robin Bacchus said he plans to capitalise on the opportunity.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to be among some of the best cricketers in the world and eager to learn from them, while I will also use the opportunity to make a name for myself,” he said.
Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who was ruled out from the inaugural tournament due to a stress fracture weeks before the start, said he is fully fit and ready to make an impact.
“I definitely feel excited that I’ve been called up to play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors,” Beaton said. “I am definitely coming to play and bringing my best. Last year it was unfortunate to miss out due to injury but I am really looking forward to this year’s tournament.”
Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul expressed how pleased he was to be a part of the prestigious tournament for a second time.
“I am happy to be back in the Warriors line-up and hopefully it will be another successful year for me,” the Albion spinner revealed.
The 24-year-old Permaul ended last year’s tournament with 10 wickets from nine games at an average of 19 with best figures of 3-32 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at the Guyana National Stadium.
It was a complete turnaround for the left-armer, who earlier in that year in the Caribbean T20 competition, was thrashed to all parts of the park, picking up just a solitary wicket.
Further Permaul added “As the runners’ up, a lot of pressure will be on us, but I feel that we have the strength to do very well this season. With 10 players in our 15 man squad having been retained, cohesion won’t be an issue.”
