By Akeem Greene
Young Guyanese cricketers Chandrapaul Hemraj, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd are overjoyed on being drafted for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League which runs from August 8 – September 16.
The elaborate player draft was held at the Gfinity eSports Arena in London on Thursday where Hemraj went to St. Lucia Stars for US$5,000 while Rutherford and Shepherd stayed with their home franchise, Guyana Amazon Warriors for US$5,000 and US$4,000 respectively.
Hemraj, a free-flowing left-handed batsman was recently picked for Windies ‘A’ 50-over duties against England Lions and told Guyana Times Sport from Antigua, “I am really excited right now since I was hoping to get picked by one of the teams. I have been playing a positive brand of cricket recently and it has brought me success and every time I get an opportunity to play I try to make the most of it and I will do the same for the Stars”.
The 24 year-old who is having a season to remember in both the four-day and Super50 where he had a decent average of over 30, was on the cautious side of describing the feeling of coming against the ‘house’ in the “Biggest Party in Sport”.
“Definitely would love to preform against them [Guyana Amazon Warriors] and do well but my main focus right now is the A team and ensuring we succeed against the Lions”.
Fellow newbie in the Windies ‘A’ squad is fast-bowling all-rounder Shepherd who also used the regional season to make a strong case with some impressive ‘death bowling’ in the recently concluded Super50.
“I am really excited at the moment knowing that I am in both the Windies ‘A’ team and the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad; hard work is paying off”.
The Berbican added, “ I must thank coaches [Esuan] Crandon, [Rayon] Griffith and [captain] Leon Johnson who believed in my skills and I would hope I can play a role in helping the Warriors cross the final hurdle this season”.
Youngest of the lot is 19 year-old Rutherford who from early age-group gave hints this format of the sport is one which suits his batting.
