Leon Ricky Swamy: backing his all-round ability to break into Guyana’s U-19 team

By Brandon Corlette

Berbice Under-19 fast bowling all-rounder Leon Ricky Swamy is tipped to play for the Guyana Under-19 Team in the 2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional tournament.
Guyana Times Sport and the Tucber Park player recently had a chat, wherein he spoke about his chances at playing for the Guyana Under-19 Team.
“I am very confident of getting into the Guyana Under-19 final squad, because I know my capability, seeing that I’m an all-rounder and my level of dependency is very high”, Swamy explained.
Born on November 1, 2001, Swamy has already played twice for the Berbice Under-19 Team, and will be eligible for another year’s play in 2020.
This strongly built teenager told this reporter that his experience at the Regional level will be an important asset. Swamy has represented Guyana in the Under-15 and Under-17 tournaments, and playing in the 2019 CWI Regional U-19 tournament in St Vincent and the Grenadines will do his career world of good.
“With help of the Almighty, I know I will get there”, Swamy confidently replied to this reporter.
Peeking into the future, the all-rounder sees himself as a complete package who can bring the complete performance for his team. This left-handed batsman is a right-arm fast bowler who has a best bowling figure of 6-17, achieved in nine overs.
Swamy also has a double century to his name. This reporter witnessed this lad in action from the non-strikers’ end during his breathtaking 214*, scored in a match which was played on the fairly large ground of the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre.

Swamy has the gift of being able to perform under pressure. In his final year at Under-17 level, he failed to make the Berbice U-17 Team, but pushed his way into the Berbice U-19 team and gained a place in the Guyana U-17 Team.
Reflecting on his most recent inter-county tournament, wherein he described his outing as reasonably well, he said: “My inter-county performance was good, although I could have done better in all areas of my game. I think there is still room for improvement for the next inter-county, and moving forward,” Swamy disclosed.
Currently preparing in case he is called up, Swamy explained that he has been working on his overall game, and fitness is an important factor. “My preparation for this tournament is quite simple, although the weather is playing a role, I train indoors”, Swamy disclosed.

The aggressive batsman said he is currently working on occupying the crease and scoring more runs consistently.
In the Hand-in-Hand 2019 Inter-County tournament, Swamy showed his power hitting at the lower-order for Berbice, and he shared the new ball with his skipper, Kevlon Anderson. When called upon, Swamy produced some early breakthrough. A notable spell in that tournament was in the match against the Select U-17, wherein Swamy was on a hat trick, removing West Indies U-16 player Mavindra Dindyal.
It was a hostile display of fast-bowling at the Everest Cricket Club, until it was cut short by the rain. At such a young age, Swamy is filled with great promise; this gifted three-dimensional player thanks the Almighty and all those who played a role in his journey this far.
“I must thank my parents, brother and sister, for their support; and Coach Julian Moore, for all his effort and time taken for improving my cricket”, Swamy concluded.
With the tournament commencing later this month, Swamy is currently working towards making the final 14-member squad of the Guyana U-19 Team.