Johnson says he found out about Guyana team selection on Facebook

Guyana Harpy Eagles captain Leon Johnson made shocking disclosures on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest radio programme when he noted that he found out about the team selection on Facebook.
“I saw the team on Facebook!”
When asked again by hosts Andrew Mason and former West Indies batsman Philo Wallace, Johnson said: “Would I make that up?”
The five-time Four-Day championship winning captain said that, for the past two tournaments, he had played no part in squad selection.
“No, I have not been [part of selection] for the last two tournaments…I am not part of selection,” the 35-year-old posited.
The left-handed batsman Johnson said that his input was valued prior 2022. “It has not always been that way…I used to have an input, my opinion was valued,” Johnson echoed. “I think the captain should be able to make recommendations into the selection of squads,” Johnson explained.
“Captains should have an input; if not being a selector directly, being able to make a decision, saying I want this player or I want that player. At least some input, if you have been playing the game for the better part of 15 years.”
The Guyana skipper, who will lead the team from February 1 against Barbados Pride in Antigua, also noted that it was unfortunate for Antony Adams not to be selected.
“I thought he [Antony Adams] would have been very close to selection…he was with the team last year, and he has been a very consistent performer for the last decade or so.”
Previously, Adams had to contend for spots with Albion trio Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie at different times.
“When these guys are available, it is always hard for him [Adams] to get into the side; and when you [also] look at the composition of the side, we would play two spinners along with all-rounders and two fast-bowlers; so, it was always hard for him to get into the side,” Johnson has said.
He added, “Now that Motie is unavailable due to West Indies selection, you thought a player like Antony, who is not experienced at the first-class level, but he is very experienced generally, would have gotten the nod,” Johnson said.
The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad is Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Nedd, and Shamar Joseph. The Manager is Albert Clements, Head Coach is Ryan Hercules, Assistant Coach is Garvin Nedd, Cricket Analyst is Keshava Ramphal and Physiotherapist is Angelica Holder. The team is expected to depart on Sunday January 29 for Antigua. (Brandon Corlette)