Individual performances highlight GHE practice match

…‘No pressure’ for GHE – Coach

A half-century off the bat of Raymond Perez on Saturday sealed a 6-wicket win for Matthew Nandu’s XI as the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ 4-day practice match concluded on Saturday last.
Hampered by rain over the past week, the brilliant sunshine was enjoyed on Saturday, as it allowed for the match to be concluded in exciting fashion.
Anthony Adams’ XI resumed the day on 139-2, with batsman Kevlon Anderson going on to hit 122 runs. However, Anderson’s century was in vain, as contributions of 28, 27, and 20 from Akshaya Persaud, Rivaldo Phillips and Rampertab Ramnauth respectively could only get Adams’s XI a 142-run lead.
Steven Sankar, bowling for Nandu’s side, did the damage in picking up 6-52, while speedster Nial Smith returned 2-52.
In reply, an unbeaten 76 from Perez helped Nandu’s side cruise to 143-4 for the victory, with Shamar Yearwood adding 19 to the tally. Captain Adams claimed 2-13, as he worked to hold off his team’s impending defeat.
Speaking with this publication during the game, Harpy Eagles’ Coach Ryan Hercules shared what he was looking to get out of the players during the practice match.

“As you mentioned, a team getting bowled out in under a session is obviously not what you’re looking to start off as a unit. Nevertheless, a lot of young players (were) included in these practice games, so I would’ve mentioned to both teams, you know, make the best of the opportunity given to them,” Hercules said about the shaky first innings from the Adams XI.
“Just getting the guys out in the idle, batters and bowlers spending time out there getting the concept of 4-day cricket, because many of the guys would’ve never played so much 4-day cricket or even first-class cricket. So, they could understand what is expected of them if they do gain selection into the team,” Hercules explained.
“Getting the guys to gel together as a group,” he added. “So, just for them to understand what we’re looking for from the young players as well, in terms of training sessions and how they go out playing their cricket,” he said.
Being defending champions, Hercules shared, is no pressure for him or the side, as the 4-Day season begins in February.
“No pressure. It could go one of the two ways. For me, I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and see how it goes. Any sport you play, it could go two ways, so, I’m a person that builds my mind for the best, and probably for the worst,” Hercules explained.
He continued, “Nevertheless, I know we’re the defending champions yes, so we have a bigger gap to fill in terms of how we go about playing the tournament, knowing that a few of the guys will be missing upfront as well. The guys who will come in, they will have to just go out there and hope they understand and understand fast, if you’re playing first class cricket, you know. It’s a testing opportunity which I’m looking forward to.”
With 5 players currently in the West Indies’ Test squad competing in Australia, Hercules expressed eagerness at the quality they will add to the local team. He said,
“Obviously, the guys being in Australia playing tough cricket definitely going to bring something back to the unit when they do return. So, when they get back with us, [they] bring that experience they gained over there. And it’s guys who been around the set up match winners as well. So, we’re very eager to have them back when they’re available.”
The Harpy Eagles are expected to have another practice match this week, once good weather prevails.