Latest update May 15th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 09, 2010 Sports
As Amazon Conquerors adjust to S/African conditions
By Sean Devers
In association with Digicel, Carib Beer,
Leisure Inn, Universal DVD Club,
Forest Enterprise, Igloo Ice-Cream,
Dave’s West Indian Grocery, Wartilsa Inc
A day after the Guyana Amazon Conquerors arrived in Johannesburg via London, Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan told the world to watch out for Jonathon Foo as the South Americans get ready for their opening Champions League T20 match against Royal Bangalore Challenges on Sunday. The 30-year-old Sarwan is not distracted by the contract snub by the WICB selection panel and feels that once the wonderful team work and unity, which was evident when Guyana won the Caribbean Championships to earn this trip continue in Africa, continues the Guyanese could surprise the world in much the same manner that Trinidad & Tobago did in India last year.
Foo, who was the find of the Caribbean Championship, turns 20 on Saturday and Sarwan who averages above 40 in Tests, ODIs and First-Class cricket, wants everyone to ‘keep an eye on’ the Berbician who could be asked to play a similar role that Kieron Pollard played for T&T when they played unbeaten until the final last year.
“Foo hit the ball really hard for such a young man and he hit straight and clean…he is not a slugger and he could be Guyana’s version of Pollard. We must not forget that he is very inexperienced but is learning really fast and we expect a lot from him here,” Sarwan said.
I would love to have him as a Pollard in the making. He has just started his career. He is just 19. I would advise him to take just one day at a time. He has got a very bright future. He just has to remain focused and work hard. He is a very generous young man. I am sure he will be the next Pollard.
Sarwan, who has been playing for the Guyana senior team for 16 years now, says there is no animosity between the Guyanese and the T&T side which they beat in the semi-finals of the Caribbean Championship and again in their final practice match in Guyana.
“Yeah there was talk in Trinidad about us not deserving to be here but we won the Caribbean tournament and will be representing not only Guyana, but the entire West Indies in this competition. Trinidad & Tobago were underdogs just like us when the competition began last year and they played brilliantly to reach the final. T&T could be our inspiration in this tournament since we know they set the standards high for Caribbean teams,” the elegant right-hander said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence. It is a motivating factor and we would like to go a step further than them and my team is looking forward to the challenge. I am sure that all the young players in my team are very excited. I hope it is a good tournament for us.” Sarwan said that Coach Seeram and Analyst Robin Singh will be working along with him and the senior players to get the right balance in terms of the pitches, the opposition and what is needed in South African conditions in the next few days. He added that Guyana’s focus is on sticking to the basics and sticking together as a family for this entire trip.
Guyana’s batting is its strength but some feel that the bouncy pitches in South Africa could be their biggest concern and Sarwan expects a barrage of short balls.
‘I have faced most of these guys at International level and on the pitches here I expect them to test us with bouncers. We have been practicing a lot with the tape tennis ball to adjust to the bounce and the pace since the pitches in Guyana and the Caribbean are slow. We will be trying to utilise whatever facilities we have to get the best out of the conditions here,” Sarwan said.
Not a mighty fan of T20 cricket Sarwan admitted that it’s the perfect format for the crowds but added that he would like a young man to prepare himself for Test cricket.
“I prefer Test cricket but Twenty20 is in front of us now. I have no problem with it. I think it is a great opportunity for the youngsters to participate in such a huge tournament.
I think it is just the adaptation which will help the youngsters to make it big in Test cricket once they earn a name in the Twenty20 format.
If Jonathan Foo would not have performed well in the Caribbean Twenty20, I don’t think we would have been talking about him,” the former West Indies Captain said.
Although his average is much better than Pollard’s for the West Indies in 20/20 cricket, Sarwan has not been able to dominate this format and struggled to score freely in the Caribbean Championships.
“It wasn’t easy. But then I realised that the idea is to do the basics right and score off the bad balls. Just be myself. Initially I was trying a bit too hard but then I realized that I must enjoy the game. It has helped a lot in adjusting to the Twenty20 format,” Sarwan said.
While Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Travis Dowlin have all played Test cricket and are key members of the side Sarwan is easily the most experienced player especially with Shiv Chanderpaul opting play for his English County insisted of Guyana in the 20/20 format.
But Sarwan does not feel the responsibility of being the most senior player will affect his batting. “Not really, I enjoy it. I’m still quite young myself, but have just played more Tests than the others. I like to share my experience, but if I put too much pressure on myself that’s when I get into trouble and don’t enjoy it as much.”
The Guyanese team, which will also promote Guyana’s eco-tourism drive by handing out DVDs on Guyana’s adventure opportunities as they travel around the Rainbow nation, will have a practice early today before attending the opening ceremony. They face Royal Bangalore Challengers in their first match and will hope to win at least two games to have a chance of reaching the semis.
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