Reigning champions Guyana are set to open their title defence today against the International Cricket Council (ICC) Americas Under-19 team as the limited overs version of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 tournament bowls off today at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex Ground. Guyana have a chance to redeem themselves and complete a three-peat after a horrendous showing in the three-day version in which they finished in last place after a winless streak. Prior to the team’s departure, it was believed they were strong contenders to repeat their 2014 and 2015 performances; however, that was not the case. They now have a second chance to prove themselves, but a lot depends on their batting and the coach’s input.
Keemo Paul
Travis Persaud is the skipper of the team and he has West Indies U-19 Vice Captain Keemo Paul as his deputy. The squad is strong on batting and comprises talented all-rounders and quality bowlers. Sherfane Rutherford, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed and Paul were expected to be Guyana’s marquee players for the entire tournament, but to date they have all disappointed the Guyanese fans.
Under-17 Captain Bhaskar Yadram and opener Ronaldo Renee were the only batsmen to register fifties in the three-day tournament, which concluded last Saturday. All other batsmen have failed to impress.
Left-arm spinner Akenie Adams was the star with the ball in the two games he played before being rested on account of a nagging shoulder injury. He was supported by Keshram Seyhodan, who collected six wickets in the first innings of the second game, but it was his only match as he was excluded from the first match and missed the third owing to illness. The two spinners, along with Paul, who was surprisingly rested for the third match, are scheduled to make a return to the side for the first 50-over encounter. The players would have to produce a better performance than they did in the three-day version to win the tournament. The other matches in the opening rounds will feature new three-day champions Trinidad and Tobago against Jamaica at Sion Hill, and Barbados will face the Leeward Islands at Park Hill.
Guyana U-19 Squad: Travis Persaud (Captain); Keemo Paul; Sherfane Rutherford; Renaldo Ali Mohamed; Akinie Adams; Ronaldo Renee; Malcolm Hubbard; Keshram Shabodan; Joel Seitaram; Looknauth Chinkoo; Bhaskar Yadram; Joshua Persaud; Sylus Tyndall and Raymond Perez.
