“It’s a good feeling” – Permaul on First-Class milestone

It was tense times at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday, as the West Indies Academy chipped away at a total that was set in the first innings of their third- round West Indies Championships clash with the hosts and defending champions, the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE).
Knowing that the encounter would be heading for an imminent draw after several rain interruptions throughout the previous three days, both sides were doing all they could to grab the crucial first innings points, the only bonus on offer.
Eventually, the Harpy Eagles won the game of cat and mouse when the experienced Veerasammy Permaul rose to the occasion claiming 6-75 from 29 overs to rout the Academy for 249, four runs short of clinching the first innings points. In the process, Permaul surpassed 650 wickets (652) in First-Class cricket, the highest by any cricketer in the Region.

Following the game’s conclusion, Permaul spoke of the Harpy Eagles’ resilience, chalking up their ability to claim first innings points to consistency and experience.
“I think the thing was consistency. We know they’re the Academy, I think the lack of patience, they’re young guys and I think because of experience, play a part. Also with [Gudakesh] Motie, the partnership between me and him, I think because we play cricket long enough, because we’re consistent enough that we could test their technique, that really paid off today,” the spinner explained.
Quizzed about his milestone of accumulating 652 First-Class wickets, the most in the Caribbean, the Berbician spinner described it as a good feeling.
Permaul shared, “First of all, I want to thank God for, you know, playing so long and getting achievements like this milestone. It’s a good feeling to get wickets and more so, to get wickets for Guyana.”
With an eye on the 700 figure now, Permaul wants to stick to producing good spells.
“That is one of the goals moving forward. You know, at the same time, it’s still cricket, anything could happen. I just [want to] go out, continue doing the things you do over the years, bowling, put the ball in the right areas and show once you be consistent as a bowler, you could reap rewards,” Permaul explained.
The West Indies Championship is currently on a two-week break and will resume on Wednesday, March 5 when the Harpy Eagles will head to Jamaica to battle the hosts at Sabina Park.