“I wish we had 15 more of him”- Sanasie praises Paul

…Proud of international and regional representation

By Jemima Holmes

While a cricketer lives a well-travelled life, the past few months have been quite busy for cricketers across the world, as numerous tournaments and countries sought to get their 2020 schedule restarted after the Coronavirus Pandemic put a stop to sport in early March.
For some Guyanese players, they have hopped from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in September, to the two months Indian Premier League (IPL) in October and November and then either to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) or West Indies International duties in New Zealand.
In the process, these locals have been a marvel to many fans and stakeholders as they participate in some of the highest rated cricket in the world.
Three of those players, namely Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford, have enjoyed the bliss of participating in the Indian Premier League, and for Rutherford alone, the Pakistan Super League. While Hetmyer, Paul and Romario Shepherd are currently carrying out West Indies duties in New Zealand, Paul will head to the Big Bash League in Australia after.
In the eyes of Guyana Cricket Board President Anand Sanasie, this kind of representation on the international scene is priceless, not only for the players, but for country and club.

Sanasie even reflected on a period where Guyanese were absent from the IPL rosters, a subject which he was often chided about.
“Surely, I had some experience where the directors in the region would sometime tell you, ‘You’re doing well at the cricket’, but earning out of the IPL is not there. For 2019 and 2020, that has changed; and yes, we are proud,” Sanasie boasted.
He continued, “And if we could produce more players for the IPL, the clubs would benefit, the GCB would benefit, and this is outside of them benefiting. So it benefits Cricket West Indies, it benefits the GCB financially, it benefits their club financially.”

In the exclusive sit-down with Guyana Times Sport, Sanasie went on to zero in on Keemo Paul’s signing with Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash League, noting that the country would benefit from more players of his calibre.
“Yes, it’s an earning steam and it’s also putting them on the international stage. You mentioned the PSL, but in the Australian League, Keemo Paul has just been selected too. So definitely he’s a player with a lot of potential, and I wish we could have 15 more of him,” the GCB secretary stated.
On the topic of West Indies Selection, Sanasie expressed his contentment with the number of Guyanese who have been in and out of the regional squad in recent times. However, it is his belief that, with consistency, Guyana can see more representation at that level.
“I’m sure you would know that Guyana won the Regional tournament for five years, and there was a lot of clamour as to why our players were not moving up to that next level. I myself would have questions surrounding that, but I think consistent performances regionally and sticking to what you have to do would eventually realise that.
“We have three players who are in and out of the Cricket West Indies team, and I think we can grow with that,” he commented.
The GCB Secretary explained that whenever local players get that valued callup to the regional team, there will never be a shortage of National Team players, owing to the GCB Academy structure.
“Our academy system has paid dividends in that we can pull out from 15 players in an academy structure, anyone at any time could move up to the National team, and once we have a reserve to move up to the National team, any slot that is made vacant for players advancing to CWI can easily be filled,” Sanasie clarified.
“The selectors would always be on the make to ensure we keep grooming the youngsters coming through. All we can do is keep producing cricketers and hope that CWI sees the need to select them,” the GCB Secretary said with pride.