Hero CPL is a learning experience for Ashmead Nedd

Another breakout star in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ lineup last year was teenage sensation Ashmead Nedd, who picked up the most wickets (11 wickets) for the West Indies Under 19 team in the 2020 U19 World Cup.

Nedd’s talent was discovered quite early, as he featured in the Under 19 World Cup in 2018 at 17 years old. However, his shining moment came in the Regional Super 50 tournament, where he picked up 11 scalps in 6 games back in 2019, as part of the West Indies Emerging Players team.
Now 20 years old, Nedd appears to be getting better and better, and will once again suit up for the Amazon Warriors as they get their Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign underway today.
With best CPL figures of 1 for 10 from 4 overs, there is much to expect from this youngster this year. A man of few words, Nedd has described his CPL debut as the ultimate learning experience, especially since he was coming off an 11-wicket stint at the Under 19 World Cup.
“The experience was great. Heading into CPL just after finishing my Under 19 World Cup, it was great. I learnt a lot during that period of time,” the spinner shared during an exclusive chat with <<Guyana Times Sport.>>
Continuing on the topic, Nedd shared that his most valuable lesson was learning to adapt to whatever CPL’s explosive batsmen had to offer.
He explained, “What I was able to learn pretty fast was adapting to different batsmen, different stroke- makers. It was pretty hard, but I still adapt, assess and got used to it.”
At home with the Amazon Warriors is where Nedd is most comfortable, as he discussed the existing camaraderie in the local franchise.
Commenting on the atmosphere thus far for the 2021 season, the 20-year-old said, “At times we’d be quite serious. In the preseason camp we had here (National Stadium, Providence) for the past few days, we encouraged each other a lot. I train with most of them, so it was pretty good, there was laughter and there were times when we had to get down to business.”
With the CPL admitting fans in this year’s tournament, coupled with several closed doors matches, the Guyanese spinner noted that absence of the fans in 2020 didn’t affect him too much.
“It wasn’t really strange, (because) I never played in front of much crowds, but it was pretty strange for the cricket fraternity.”
When asked what he would be working on to perfect in this 9th edition of the Hero CPL, Nedd was tight-lipped, but admitted that his goals are set already.
“I basically have my goals set out in my head. But I just want to play the cricket, enjoy and do what I could do best,” the GAW spinner disclosed. (Jemima Holmes)