Guyana Amazon Warriors began their preparation for the 2016 Hero Caribbean Premier
Paul Wintz (left) Steven Katwaroo (centre) and Christopher Barnwell engage in training sessions at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence
League (CPL) on Monday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence under the watchful eyes of Head coach Roger Harper and Assistant Coach Esuan Crandon.
Despite the rainy weather, the team conducted physical conditioning sessions under the guidance of Strength and Conditioning Trainer Clinton Jeremiah and Physiotherapist Jason Pilgrim, as they got down to business in their pursuit of a maiden title.
Regional players, Rayad Emrit, Orlando Peters, Steven Katwaroo and Jason Mohammed, along ICC Americas player Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan were present alongside the local players for the first session of the week long pre-tournament camp.
The noticeable absentees were Barbadian Dwayne Smith, Pakistani Sohail Tanvir and Australian Chris Lynn, who are expected to join the squad today.
International stars Martin Guptill and Adam Zampa are the only two players who could miss the camp due to pre-tournament commitments.
The New Zealander Guptill, who succeeded Denesh Ramdin as the Warriors’ Captain, is in England participating in the NatWest T20 Blast for county side Lancashire.
The dashing right-handed opener who has been in sublime form in recent months will play six group games for the county side after which he will leave after the team’s final home match on June 24 to join the Amazon Warriors.
On the other hand, the unavailability of the Australian leg-spinner Zampa, is due to his commitments for country in the ongoing Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series involving the West Indies and South Africa; the series is slated to finish on June 26 in Barbados.
West Indies Under-19 players Keemo Paul, Tevin Imlach along with Akshaya Persaud and Romain Muniram also took part in the sessions in keeping with the Warriors’ developmental programme; the camp is expected to conclude on June 25.
On Wednesday and Thursday the Warriors are expected to engage in match simulations drills under the artificial lights, while on Friday and Saturday they will play practice matches against a local select side.
The Warriors will be in search of their first title win this year after coming up short in two finals, one against the Jamaica Tallawahs in the inaugural tournament and then against the Barbados Tridents the year after.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors will begin their campaign on the road when they play the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park on June 30.
There are four home matches beginning on July 7 with a clash against the Jamaica Tallawahs at 19:00 Hrs then the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on July 9 from midday.
The highly anticipated match against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders will occur on July 10 also from 19:00 Hrs while the final home match is against the St. Lucia Zouks on July 12 from 19:00 Hrs.
Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: Martin Guptill (Captain) Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan , Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo ([email protected])
