Guyana Harpy Eagles contracts: Performance matters, Singh surprised after being thrown into draft

By Brandon Corlette

After scoring 262 runs at an average of 52 and emerging as one of the leading batsmen for Guyana Harpy Eagles in the recent West Indies Four-Day championships, Vishaul Singh was not in the protected 13 for contracted players. He was thrown into the draft for the Professional Cricket League (PCL) 2022-2023 season on Friday last, and he was left surprised, perhaps of the fact that he was not contacted after doing well.
In a recent interview, Singh expressed his disappointment and spoke about the fact that he was not informed by anyone about being in the draft, until the day of the PCL draft.
“It was very disappointing and a very disappointed feeling for me. If it was the end for me, I was not too sure. If I was not protected, I would still be playing for Guyana. I always want to represent Guyana, but it was disappointing (not being a protected player), but it was not the end of the road for me, I am still committed to helping the Guyana Harpy Eagles franchise in any way possible,” the 33-year-old said.
“I was not contacted by anybody, so I was not told anything from any of the selectors or the franchise, why I was not in the protected 13. Even if, I was not aware of anything, one day before the draft.”
The left-handed batsman, who played three Test matches for the West Indies in 2017, said he always would want to play for his home franchise, but he was willing to explore new opportunities.

“It is a franchise system, and I am fully aware of that, but if I had to go to another franchise, I would be disappointed to leave my home franchise. However, I would be happy to explore something new and give my all for my franchise,” Singh noted.
While many cricket pundits and Journalists were calling for the senior players to be replaced by youngsters, the youngsters have not scored runs heavily in the local matches, and Singh, who is a senior man, has performed at the First-Class level. Singh said it is the performance that matters.
“A lot of people say a lot of things. At the end of the day, I think it is performance that matters. Cricket West Indies have a performance scheme in place, so I guess the performance, and the grading criteria, has to guide. Regardless of the age, once you are performing, that is what should matter,” Singh said.
Prior to the restart of the Four-Day season, the collective batting of the Harpy Eagles team was inconsistent. When asked if he had to prove a point upon the resumption of the tournament, Singh said: “I did not feel like I needed to prove a point.”

“At this point in my career, I have done a lot for the Guyana franchise, being one of the main players and main contributors over the years and very much to our success. I did not need to prove a point to anybody. I want to prove a point to myself: keep performing at the high level so I can give my franchise the very best once they believe in me and select me to out and represent,” Singh disclosed.

The middle-order batsman, who is a man of principles, was perhaps looking to be treated with more respect from the Guyana Harpy Eagles franchise and selectors. “Experience is priceless. I think I have a lot of cricket more in me. Giving thanks to God that I am healthy, I am fit and I could still continue to perform, I will give my all for the franchise. Life after cricket is coaching for me. I am currently finishing off the level three course. Once that is finished, I can get certified. I always offer myself to the coach and the franchise to assist whenever I can,” Singh added.
The long-standing servant of Guyana cricket has nine centuries and 19 half-centuries to his name with 4247 First-Class runs in 80 matches, averaging 34. After playing four matches this season, he had scores of 93, 24, 08, 18, 100* and 19. That century was a counter-attacking one against Jamaica, where he started the innings with a reverse sweep that went into the boundary.