BCB to construct 5 batting cages with sponsorship from Peter Lewis Construction and Dr Denbow
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would shortly be constructing five batting cages as part of a massive countywide developmental programme.
The Board over the next few months would be involved in several major projects as it strived to make sure that every cricket talent in the county is developed to their full potential.
A representative of Lewis Construction, N Hoyte hands over the sponsorship cheque to BCB President Hilbert Foster
The building of the five cages, which would be constructed locally, was made possible with sponsorship from popular contractor Peter Lewis and overseas medical doctor Alstein Denbow. Lewis is sponsoring the construction of four of the cages at the cost of $800,000 while Dr Denbow would sponsored one at US$1000.
The cages would be distributed across Berbice with one at West Berbice, one at New Amsterdam/Canje and one at Upper Corentyne while two would be in the Lower Corentyne area. BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the cages would be a major boost for youth batsmen to practice across the county. The BCB has already acquired four bowling machines at the cost of $1.6 million, and they would be used together with the cages. The machines and cages would remain property of the BCB, and Foster stated that regular checks will be made on them to make sure that they are looked after. The main objectives of the combined projects are to improve the ability of Berbician youth batsmen against fast bowling, to allow better practice sessions and to allow even one player to practice at a time.
The BCB intends to undertake several other developmental projects including its annual cricket academy and coaching programmes for the different sections of the game. Clubs in the county would also receive donations of cricket balls to assist them to fulfil their mandate.
A batting cage similar to those that would be built
Dr Denbow, a renowned medical doctor, stated that he was very pleased to support the very active cricket board. Dr Denbow played a major role in bringing Sir Curly Ambrose to Berbice for a week-long fast bowling clinic last year. This clinic was attended by Shamar Joseph, Slyus Tyndall and Demetri Cameron.
Lewis has been a strong supporter of Berbice cricket under Foster’s leadership, and stated that he was confident that the cages would be a major boost towards the development of more exciting batting talent across the county. Lewis is the leading contractor in the county and is heavily involved in road construction and drainage works. The four bowling machines were donated by Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dr Terrence Blackman, and Region Five Vice Chairman Rion Peters.
