“Important for me to play match-winning innings” – Barnwell

With his confidence at the highest, Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Christopher Barnwell can be one of the most destructive batsmen in regional cricket with his powerful stroke-play.
However, over the last few seasons, he has a had lean run of form, but the player is planning to rectify the situation by playing the needed matching innings for his country’s franchise in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport prior to departure on Saturday for the tournament which will be held in Barbados and Antigua from January 24 to February 18, the cricketer is most positive about returning to form and leading his team to the championship glory.
“I’m pretty confident, after playing in the practice matches and getting a few runs; the way I’m hitting the ball is good heading into the tournament,” the 30-year-old stated.
He added, “It has been a while since we won this tournament, we have been getting to a few finals and we didn’t pull it off, it is very important for me as an all-rounder to play match winning innings and hopefully we cross the final hurdle and win the tournament this year.”
Barnwell, who made his List A debut in 2008, has played 29 matches to date, scoring three half-centuries at an average of 19.42, while with ball in hand, has taken 21 wickets with a best of 4-31.
Considering the player’s talent, the aforementioned stats would not make a good read, but the former National Captain explained that he is putting his shortcomings behind and is buoyed by his scores of 44 and 56 in the two practice matches and more so the dedication in preparation.
“2016 has passed and it happens as a sportsman when you don’t perform and it is just to put it behind me; the way I started in the practice matches and the way I prepared for this tournament has given me confidence and it’s just  for me to go out and perform”, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player disclosed.
Jaguars, who are based in Barbados for their group matches, are grouped alongside Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, ICC Americas and Combined Colleges and Campuses Marooners, are scheduled to play eight preliminary matches in order to qualify for the semi-finals.
Some of the opposing teams have some imposing international and seasoned regional players which could make the fight for the top two spots intriguing.
Considering the stakes at hand, the West Indies T20 player plans to have a positive flare to his innings, stating “I always try to back myself whenever a certain situation arise but it is a game where you have to play accordingly and this year I’m just going to play positively and back myself in any situation.”
The right-handed batsman, who was captain in the 2015 final loss to Trinidad and Tobago, and vice-Captain when they lost to the same team in the semi-final last year, knows the importance of the team returning with the title, having not lifted it since 2005.
“We got to play as a team, the batters have been letting us down in the last two seasons where we lost in the final and semi-final, so it is important for us as batters to put our hands up and get big scores,” he explained.
Barnwell will certainly have an important role to play with both bat and ball in the tournament and will get his first chance to showcase his ability when the Jaguars play the hosts at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday from 13:30h.