Benjamin brimming with confidence as Regional U-19 looms

By Brandon Corlette

Cricket West Indies’ (CWI’s) Regional Under-19 tournament is slated for July 25, 2019, and the Berbice Under-19 batsman and Guyana U-19 selectee, Garfield Benjamin, is brimming with confidence ahead of this tournament. Speaking to this reporter, the trailblazing right-handed batsman informed that he is pretty confident ahead of this tournament.

“I did not have the best inter-county (performance), but since completion of that tournament, I have been home and I have been working on the things that caused my downfall in the inter-county (tournament)”, Benjamin explained.
A Tucber Park player who has been a constant member of Berbice junior teams, and has even once represented Guyana as an Under-15 player, Benjamin added that he considers his 2019 Hand-in-Hand Inter-County performance average by his standards.

“I honestly think I could’ve achieved more with the starts that I had, but it was good to know that, after a few years, I actually had a fair chance of batting in the tournament, and I did well,” Benjamin disclosed in a thankful approach.
This highly talented middle order batsman, who was born on November 3, 2000 and hails from Douglas Jones Road in Fyrish Village, Corentyne, added that he sees himself performing as a lower-middle- order batsman in the Guyana U-19 team. Realistically speaking, he said, he is likely to bat at number six, and play a similar role to that of England’s Jos Butler.
“If we are in a compromising position, I don’t mind absorbing the pressure and just (keep on) batting for ones and twos. When we are in a commanding position, coming in and having to score quickly wouldn’t be a problem”, he explained.
Benjamin is currently in preparation mode for this tournament, and has been working on his fitness and concentration. “I’m also working on some shots that coach said would be pretty helpful in the sometimes testing conditions”, Benjamin declared.
In the 2019 Inter-county tournaments, Benjamin was an important asset to his team. He was tasked with rebuilding the innings on various occasions, and certainly did. In one three-day match, Benjamin bailed his team out of trouble twice with scores of 32 and 38*, and he also scored a half-century in the recent inter-county season.
His most illustrious knock is the match-winning 59 against Demerara in the U-15 inter-county final.
Benjamin’s game has since evolved to afford him scoring five centuries in his blooming career, with a high score of 140*.
This humble lad has expressed gratitude to all those who played a role in his journey thus far. He thanks his parents and entire family, his coach Julian Moore, and friends Reuben and Lemuel. Additionally, Benjamin has expressed gratitude to his team mates, notably his fellow Berbicians Kevlon Anderson and Winslow Roberts, among others who have always shown him their support.
He is certainly a talented player who would also be eager to play a role in the Guyana U-19 championship win when the CWI Regional U-19 tournament bowls off in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Under Julian Moore and Benjamin’s leadership, Guyana has been the most successful Regional U-19 team, especially in the one-day format, which is the lone format this year. Guyana will certainly be eying a sixth title.
When Benjamin suits up to represent the Golden Arrow Head, he will be aiming to perform at his best for his country.