“The Management of the Berbice Cricket Board are very proud of you for being outstanding ambassadors of Berbice and for keeping the ancient county’s flag flying high. As long as I head the Berbice Cricket Board, every hero in Berbice Cricket would be recognised and honoured.” Those were the words of newly elected President Hilbert Foster as he gave the feature address at a Special
The awardees pose with Berbice Cricket Board Officials after the ceremony
Ceremony to honour four outstanding Berbice Cricketers.
The BCB with sponsorship from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and its ten cricket teams, honoured Shimron Hetmyer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul and Romario Shepherd.
Hetmyer was honoured for becoming the county’s 17th Test Player and for also playing One Day International and 20/20 for the West Indies. Shepherd of the Tucber Park Cricket Club was honoured for becoming the latest Berbicians to gain selection on the West Indies ‘A’ Team. Veteran left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and wicket keeper Anthony Bramble both of the Albion Cricket Club were honoured for their outstanding performances for Guyana during the year Four-Day West Indies Cricket Board Tournament.
Permaul was the highest wicket taker with 50 wickets which included four-five wicket hauls. Bramble was the best wicket keeper with 45 dismissals which consists of 42 catches and 3 stumping.
Foster expressed disappointment that Hetmyer had not been honoured to date by the Berbice Cricket Board as it was since early 2017 that he made his Test Debut.
He also took the West Indies Selectors to task for failing to recognise the successes of both Berbice Players with at least a West Indies ‘A’ Team selection. Selection to the West Indies Team should be done solely on the basis of performance, fitness and personal discipline and both players have ticked each one of the boxes, Foster stated.
The Players were reassured BCB would support them all the way and were urged to keep knocking down the door with continued outstanding performance. Shepherd, who was represented by his Coach Julian Moore was urged to grab the opportunity in the West Indies ‘A’ Team and strive to become the next West Indies Test Player in the near future.
Each of the four players received a Special Trophy and Medal from the Berbice Cricket Board. Hetmyer’s father expressed gratitude to the Board for honouring his son and the other players. Berbice Cricket, he stated was on the move and expressed confidence that the future was bright with numerous talents coming through the system, as was evidence with the Berbice Under-15 Team.
He urged the Berbice Youth Cricketers present to develop a culture of batting long and listening to the advice of senior players. Both Bramble and Permaul also expressed gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board and stated they felt humbled to be honoured by their county board.
