Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 07, 2008 Sports
Guyana Coach laments standard of batting in opening match
By Sean Devers in Barbados
Guyana’s Coach Hubern Evans said he was pleased that his team had begun with an outright win but said the top order batting continue to be a problem area.
The former left-hander who played two first-class games for Guyana in 1977 and 1978, was speaking after defending champions Guyana defeated the Leeward Islands by five wicket at the Kensington Oval just after Tea yesterday in their opening round TCL regional three-day cricket series in Barbados.
“I am disappointed with the top order in both innings and apart from Sookdeo and Chesney Hughes from the Leeward Islands, the top order batting on both teams here was very ordinary. (Anthony) Bramble batted well in the lower order for us and I am hoping that the batsmen can settle down and show a big improvement in our next game,” Evans said.
He informed that the bowlers did a commendable job in both innings on a good batting track and said that the batsmen will have long ‘knocks’ in their practice session from 14:00hrs at the Carlton ground today.
“The confidence level is high and everyone is fit….I just hope the batsmen can understand they need to pull their weight a bit more and that with a match already gone all the nervousness among the new players would no longer be there in our remaining games,” the Guyana under-19 coach since 2004 said.
Guyana’s Manager Alvin Johnson said that Guyana ‘played it safe’ chasing a small total yesterday afternoon as the match went into the final session.
“We might have scored a bit slowly but we opted to play it safe and make sure we won the game. The batting continues to be a worry but the players are all talented and I believe we have what it takes to retain the title once we all play to our full potential,” Johnson said.
It was also disclosed that Seon Hetmyer, who was forced to retire hurt just before lunch after being struck in his Pelvic area by pacer Adelvin Phillip, has fully recovered from the blow. The youngster was not wearing a ‘box’ and Johnson opined that he believes that the youngster will now wear one whenever he is batting in the future.
Leeward Islands Manager and former first-class umpire Basil Morgan said that his team needs to show a lot more discipline in their cricket if they are to challenge for the title at the regional level. He added that while Guyana won the game, he was disappointed with the overall standard of batting in the match.
“Chesney (Hughes) batted well for us and Sookdeo and Bramble looked good for Guyana but overall the batting was very disappointing and does not give much hope for (the revival of) West Indies cricket which is the bigger picture and the main purpose of these tournaments. The youngsters today don’t seem to understand the importance of representing your country or the type of work and commitment required to compete at a high level,” Morgan opined.
He added that pacer Kelbert Walters, who has a history of injury problems and did not take the field for Guyana’s second innings yesterday, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a side strain.
The Anguillan is expected to return home on Thursday and his replacement will be 18-year-old Montserrat fast bowler Quinton Boatswain.
Morgan, a former off-spinner in his playing days, said he was impressed with Guyana’s off-spinner Herman Latcha who took five wickets in his debut game and feels that both teams looked ill-prepared especially in the batting department.
“I can speak for the Leewards….we only had a few days to get together as a team and we need a much longer preparation period if we are to really develop our young cricketers from the Leeward Islands for regional tournaments.
The teams were moved from the UWI Cave Hill Campus last Thursday and are now being accommodated at the Grand Barbados Hotel on Barbados’ South Coast.
Both Managers expressed disappointment with the facilities at UWI, especially the unavailability of an adequate number of showers. They both said the teams are comfortable at the Hotel and can now focus fully on the cricket.
This is the first time since 1999 when Barbados won the title, that this tournament is being hosted by Barbados.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been named Wisden’s leading Twenty20 Cricketer for 2023, as she topped all and sundry, including her male counterparts. Alan Gardner looks...Kaieteur News – Compliments of the Ministry of Education, our secondary school children are being treated to a stage... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]