Former Guyana Under-19 captain Eugene LaFleur is aiming for more success in both Trinidad and Tobago and Canada this year, and subsequently national selection at the highest level. In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sports, LaFleur currently is representing Caldracr in the twin-island republic where he already chalked up a half century (60) from just two games.
Eugene Lafleur
The elegant left-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spinner stated that his ambition is to wear the Golden Arrowhead colours in either the four-day or one-day version, and is confident of making that a reality soon.
Across to North America, where the Berbician also would have started playing professionally since 2010 and believes the exposure on a different territory has enhanced his cricket career tremendously.
“I will be looking to score some runs this year in Trinidad and Tobago and then Canada; I have been playing in these two countries for a while now and I feel confident with my game to go on to represent my country at the highest level.” The 25-year-old LaFleur has also expressed total enjoyment after his team, Victoria Park Cricket Club, emerged victorious in the 2016 Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Elite 50-over final at King City.
In addition to that memorable year in Canada, LaFleur represented the same club in the Scarborough Cricket Association inaugural Elite 50-over Competition and they would have also dominated proceedings from the commencement to championship game to hoist the trophy. “Last year was fantastic for me meaning I thoroughly enjoyed my game in both Trinidad and Tobago and then in Canada, but as I said I want to play at the Regional First-class level and I am working very hard to accomplish it,” the batsman LaFleur related.
LaFleur captained the Guyana youth team in 2008 when the Regional three-day tournament was held in Barbados, but the Guyanese did not win the tournament. LaFleur had shown consistency with both the bat and ball from since then. He was a member of the Guyana Under-19 team when they won the 3-day tournament in 2007 at St Kitts and Nevis. According to Eugene, as soon as he gets back to his native land, he will be hoping to break into the West Berbice side again to take part in the yearly Guyana Cricket Board Franchise Jaguars three-day competition.
The national selectors use this competition to name their team for the annual West Indies Cricket Board four-day tournament. Like LaFleur, there are a large number of Guyanese cricketers continually playing cricket in Trinidad and Tobago and Canada on an annual basis in an effort to improve the quality of their game.
LaFleur mentioned he would have shared similar sentiments of many of those athletes that the standard of the game has been more competitive in comparison to his native land and that his core point of capitalising on the opportunity to boost his game both with statistics, mentally and physically.
With T20 cricket surging daily, LaFleur candidly stated that he is contemplating playing professionally in order to represent any nation when the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is taking place. He enthusiastically feels that his all-round ability can be invaluable for any T20 side.
