Hetmyer among players to record improved numbers at fitness test

By Brandon Corlette

The senior Guyana men’s national cricket team conducted another fitness test at Leonora on a cool Monday morning. According to Head Coach Esuan Crandon, 98 per cent of the players recorded improved numbers in the yo-yo test.

The likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Keemo Paul were present to conduct the fitness assessment as preparation continues for the Regional 4-Day Tournament in February. Hetmyer, who missed selection to the West Indies white-ball squads to play Ireland and England owing to fitness issues, recorded an improved number in the yo-yo test.

“I think what we have seen today is some improvement from the guys, probably not what we were looking for but at the end of the day, most of them, about 97-98 per cent would have improved on their previous scores (in the yo-yo test) so that is a good sign for us, and it also tells the entire group that once you put in the work, you will improve. It is simple as that. I do not understand why it is difficult for some of these players to understand. You are professionals and they have to put in the work to get to the level of fitness we are looking at.”

“It might be a possibility of another one (fitness test), for some of them who are not there as yet, so let us see how it goes,” Crandon explained. The Guyana senior team will be playing their first of three 4-Day Best v Best practice matches at Albion, set for January 5 and that encounter would be good for the players to get into the groove.

“To get the guys in the good groove and frame of mind to play four-day cricket, batting for long periods, scoring big hundreds, picking up wickets, bowl long spells, being able to concentrate for long periods of time, being able to think and perform under pressure. That first game would be a good gauge for us, taking from that first game, into the next two games, and we are looking to improve as we go on from game to game, and try to build good momentum for the 4-Day coming up,” Crandon added.
The upcoming Best v Best matches, which is set to bowl off tomorrow, Wednesday January 5 at Albion will involve a pool of earmarked players, with the initial match at least being played ahead of the selection of the first national team to participate in the CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament.
According to the Guyana Cricket Board, the first two matches are scheduled for the Albion Community Centre Ground, Berbice, and given the need to have cricket played throughout the counties, the second match scheduled for Albion is subject to change based on weather conditions while the third and final match is being arranged for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Guyana contracted players are: Kelvon Anderson, Christopher Barnwell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Anthony Bramble, and Keon Joseph.