“I am more than 100% confident he will perform”

…David Paul optimistic of son’s future
By Akeem Greene
The rapid progression of genuine all-rounder Keemo Paul from youth to senior cricket would be a fairy-tale for some to believe but for father David Paul, his son’s catapult to the top by earning a spot on the Windies squad for the on-going 2019 World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe was inevitable.
After one full season of regional cricket, the 20-year old was called up as replacement to Sheldon Cottrell who suffered a hamstring injury.

“I expected things could happen from the performance in the four-day but it still came somewhat as a surprise. After the squad was picked for Zimbabwe I said well he missed out until later in the year or next year but It came earlier and emotions certainly ran high”, the elated father expressed to Guyana Times Sport on Saturday from Port Kaituma.
The right-arm seamer has 85 wickets across First-Class and List A cricket, with a bowling average of 17.35 and 21.00 in the two formats respectively. With the bat he has a belligerent top-score of 107 – his maiden First-Class ton- made against Jamaica.
The impressive figures are not the only attribute which gives the 56 year-old optimism his son can perform but rather his understanding of the sport and the effort to be fully competitive.

“I am confident in his ability. I am always confident in his ability since he started playing at age 11; he always performs at every level. His debut is always good; if it’s not with the bat it is with the ball so even to when he made the senior team I always felt he would do well”.
He added, “His greatest ability is he doesn’t take his opponents on names, he sees them as someone he can compete against and I am more than 100% he will perform for Windies if given the opportunity”.

Keemo has ticked most boxes a regional cricketer can aspire; deputising a victorious under-19 World Cup team, aided heavily in a helmet-tick of four-day titles for Guyana Jaguars, played in the Caribbean Premier League and made the Windies ‘A’ Team.

However, the glory that unfolds now is far from difficulties in the elementary stages of his career. Born in Saxacalli, located on the West Bank of the Essequibo River some 25 miles south of Parika, David who is Carpenter by trade revealed it was tough for him and wife Rita but they were never willing to ‘throw in the towel’.

“We are proud of him because it is a great feat to know where he came from. It was real rough. It was not any easy road as a lot of sacrifices and dedication were made but we thank God for where he is now”.
The father further extended gratitude for the overwhelming support of Safraz Sheriffudeen and his family at V-Net Communications as the group have even made Keemo their brand ambassador.

Ready to perform
Keemo celebrated his ascension by producing a Man-of-the-Match performance, scoring a crucial half-century and taking three wickets, to steer Windies ‘A’ to a 26-run victory over the England Lions on Friday night in Antigua.
According to him, the ‘A’ team experience is quite nurturing; “the A team has helped me since there were players with international experience who guided me along with the coaches which made things easier for me to understand and adapt quickly”.

While there is much at stake for the Windies at the qualifiers, the youngster expressed he feels no way pressured to perform and just wants to do well when the chance arises.
“I don’t pressure myself I just stick to the basics. Whatever the team needs of me that is what I’m willing to do. It’s just about backing your ability and executing. I have been waiting for this opportunity so I just want grab it with both hands and make an impact”.