GAW retain 11 players for Hero CPL 2021 season

– Hemraj eyeing championship trophy this year

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced that they have retained 11 players for the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League which gets underway in St Kitts & Nevis on 28 August.
The retained 11 players have been instrumental in guiding the Guyanese Franchise to the semi-finals in the 2020 edition of the tournament.
Included in the 11 are: Trinidad’s Nicholas Pooran, who made the only century in last year’s tournament. He will be backed this year by Shimron Hetmyer and Brandon King who are also known for their hard-hitting abilities.

Brandon King

The Warriors will also be welcoming the return of South African leg spinner Imran Tahir and the Afghan fast bowler Naveen ul Haq.
The squad will also feature upcoming Guyanese players Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd, both of whom were impressive in their first Hero CPL tournament in 2020.
All-rounder Romario Shepherd, wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble and opening batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj account for the remaining Guyanese on the retention list, while Jamaican bowler Odean Smith will also be returning for another outing with the Warriors.
The Amazon Warriors have six spots left to fill in their squad, and names will be announced in the coming weeks.

Shimron Hetmyer

The Guyana Amazon Warriors management team has said: “The Management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise are very pleased to retain the core group of players which comprised our squad over the last two years. The Franchise is very appreciative of the retained players for their loyalty and commitment to the Guyana Amazon Warriors. It is the hope of the Franchise that with the majority of players being together over the last two tournaments, the team unity, camaraderie and support for one another in working towards a common goal and purpose will bring the desired result of winning the tournament this year.”

Chandrapaul Hemraj

GAW’s Chandrapaul Hemraj, when contacted, stated that in 2021 he is looking for both personal development and team development. He has also disclosed that he has his eyes on the championship this year.
“For me, it’s a new tournament, a new opportunity, and I just want to make the most of it. At the same time, I just want to keep it as simple as possible. I don’t want to think too far ahead, just want to take it one game at a time,” he has said. “I think it’s time now for us as a group to win the championship. You know, we’ve been playing some good cricket over the years, but I think it’s important for us to come good as a unit this season.”

The Warriors are likely to see a new captain this year with the non-retention of Chris Green. The likes of Ross Taylor, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jasdeep Singh and Qais Ahmad have also not been retained.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Retentions:
1. Nicholas Pooran
2. Imran Tahir
3. Shimron Hetmyer
4. Brandon King
5. Naveen Ul Haq
6. Romario Shepherd
7. Chandrapaul Hemraj
8. Odean Smith
9. Anthony Bramble
10. Kevin Sinclair
11. Ashmead Nedd