Guyana Jaguars top-order batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj is focused on ensuring the upcoming matches in the 2017/18 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel four-day championship reap greater rewards in him reaching his maiden First-Class century.
His ‘second coming’ in national colours has reaped a relative degree of success batting in the number three position given he scored two half-centuries in consecutive matches this season.
Since his return to the team in April he scored 272 runs inclusive of three fifties but after 11 matches the shot-filled left-hander wants to go all the way with greater application.
“I think I have to be more patient, I scored two fifties and I did it pretty quick so I think whenever I get to that stage again hopefully I can be a bit more patient to carry on to the big mark”, the 24 year-old posited.
As it with the sports, challenges are always in close proximity and Hemraj has new one to overcome since he was promoted to an opener given the strength of the middle-order but has not found it easy going by any means since his three innings (prior to today’s match) in the new role has went 23,0, 22.
“I got two starts opening the batting and I find it a bit challenging at the top of the order but I see it as an opportunity to do well since I want to utilize the starts I have been getting and get a big score for the team”.
The new job title comes with Everest Cricket Club mate Tagenarne Chanderpaul who has been a calming influence.
“The most difficult part about opening is the first hour and being able to see off the new ball but I like the challenges and it motives me to overcome”.
He added, “batting with Tage is great since he himself is tight and has a solid defence at the crease so tells me to just be patient and let the ball come into my zone”.
His years as a youth cricketer, he was duded one of the most promising in the region which would have coincided with his stint at the High Performance Centre (HPC) and him making his First-class debut at age 19.
In the quest for success, the former West Indies u-19 player is paying keen attention to the advice of the great Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
“Mostly in the training sessions he has been advising on areas from which I have now begun to put into practice and hopefully in the next few matches I can reap success from it”, the player noted.
