The Big Star Cricket Club is known for producing fearsome fast-bowlers over the years. Former Guyana Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall, Melroy Barkley and Royden Gray are among those who eventually left the club, or moved away from cricket for different reasons.
Patrick Gray
Among those reasons is the lack of recognition the talented players experience, and the condition of the ground. This cricket club, located at Ulverston Village, Corentyne Berbice approximately two minutes’ drive from Whim, has been left in a state of disrepair. Long-serving executive member of the Big Star Cricket Club, Patrick Gray, is a concerned man who is calling for an upgrade to this facility that exposes talented athletes.
Royden Gray celebrating
“Big Star ground needs a lot of development. We need a pavilion, we need our ground to full up at the back, and the fence needs to be repaired. Once we get that, we would do wonders, because we produce a lot of fast bowlers for Berbice but were not given a fair deal, that is why the club has dropped back a bit. We are asking the Government to help look after the ground,” Gray has said.
The ground was fenced years ago under the administration of President Donald Ramotar.
In addition to the cricketers this club has produced, Gray said, during the school sports season, athletes have used the ground to prepare themselves for competition.
Current state of the Big Star ground
“This ground produced a lot of top junior athletes in the country over the years, and for us to travel and use other grounds, we can save on transportation and make use of our facility,” Gray added.
The Big Star Cricket Club has, over the years, played at all junior levels in Berbice Cricket Board-organised tournaments, and played second division tournaments. With the BCB’s new season looming, once the weather permits and there is full adherence to all COVID-19 protocols, including vaccination, Big Star Cricket Club would be hoping to participate in the new season. (Brandon Corlette)
