Bramble, Hemraj still to be considered for selection

– Guyana Harpy Eagles selector dissects contracted men

By Brandon Corlette

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) have released the names of their 15 contracted players for the 2023-2024 season. A major talking point has been the omission of senior players Chandrapaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble, but Lead Selector of the Harpy Eagles, Ramnaresh Sarwan, has declared that it is not the end of Bramble and Hemraj.

“We had conversations with Bramble and Hemraj. They have made initial progress, but they regressed in certain areas. They are still eligible for selection. I spoke to both of them (on Thursday) and told them that they have a lot of cricket left in them,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan also spoke about two players who have not been contracted: Ashmead Nedd and Isai Thorne. Moreover, Sarwan noted that the selection of Under-19 duo Rampertab Ramnauth and Mavendra Dindyal is a result of the promise and talent they have shown.

“The guys who were contracted before, (it) speaks for itself. We are trying to keep a core group together, some of the guys who have been around for a while. We thought it was important that we continue with the men who has been around,” he explained.
Speaking directly about Ramnauth and Dindyal, Sarwan said: “For the new guys, we see it as an opportunity to groom them at a young age, to let them understand…how important it is in being professional. Training and technical routines at a young age, and to let them put in the work and understand that something is out there, and help motivate them. They have a future, and we are willing to invest in them at a young age.”
Asked if the senior inter-county performances of Dindyal and Ramnauth had had any influence in them gaining contracts, Sarwan said: “No. I think it is potential, and based on the reports from the management and coaches. The talent that they possess obviously played a part.”
Keemo Paul was a contracted player last season, but this season he has not been contracted. Sarwan noted that the uncontracted players would still represent Guyana, but on a pay-for-play basis.
“With Keemo, Sherfane and Shepherd, I had discussed with them where we are at with contracts. We cannot really predict whether they will play T20 franchise around the world or not. We had a discussion for them on a pay-for-play basis, so they are okay with that.”
West Indies under-19 fast-bowler Isai Thorne, who has been tipped to become ‘one for the future’, also missed out on a contract. Sarwan said he is one that the Guyana selectors would keep an eye on, and he would be awarded an Academy contract instead.
“Yes, we did. We were close to doing that (selecting Thorne). We will have him around; he is someone we are looking at very (closely). And there is also an Academy contract, and he will be given one,” Sarwan explained.
West Indies Academy left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who was a member of the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad last season, was on the cusp of a Four-Day debut for the Harpy Eagles, but he has not been contracted.
Sarwan said it is good to see improvement in Nedd. “Consideration was given. In terms of Ashmead, we have Motie, Permaul and Adams. You could have that conversation between Adams and Ashmead, but to be fair, Adams has been performing over the years, and he has done fairly well, with everything required of him. It is just a matter for Ashmead to continue to do what he has been doing. He has made a lot of progress with his fitness and so forth. That is a good sign,” Sarwan has said. “It is good to have healthy competition.”
Speaking in general, Sarwan again signalled his no-nonsense approach, but said he believes that creating a competitive environment is essential.
“For far too long, we had allowed players to get away with a lot of things. We are trying to change that culture, to ensure that we can get everything on par,” the former West Indies captain has disclosed.
List of 15 contracted players for the 2023-2024 season: Veersammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Tevin Imlach, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Kevlon Anderson, Antony Adams, Shamar Joseph, Rampertab Ramnauth, Mavendra Dindyal and Junior Sinclair.