Dear Editor,
The Guyana Amazon Warriors, after two unlikely defeats and a rained-out game, are in a desperate position for their survival in this year’s Caribbean Premier League title chase.
We cannot forget Yuvraj Singh hammering England’s young fast bowler Stewart Broad for six consecutive sixes in a world cup tournament in South Africa. Remember the name “Carlos Braithwaite” who hit England’s fast bowler Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes to win the world cup for the West Indies. Stewart went on to be one of the very great fast bowlers in world cricket and Ben Stokes is presently a world class all-rounder and more so England’s test captain. Hence, let us agree with skipper Shimron Hetmyer and give the young all-rounder a chance to establish himself as a world class all-rounder.
The Amazon Warriors is with a new captain and new leadership. Hence, the team is certainly not gelling together. The two openers are expected to give the team a solid and quick start.
However, the inclement weather is against the rapid start. As such, the team leadership will have to consider the approach at the start of the match. Chandrapaul Hemraj is an attacking batsman but Paul Stirling is not the ideal player to open the innings. Shai Hope is a class batsman and we should keep him at three because we bought him for that position. Skipper Hetmyer, at four is in good form and expectations are sky-high that he will have to score runs consistently and heavily. Hetmyer, must hit the ball hard but he must hit the ball along the ground early in his innings.
Wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen is not any reputable player and buying him was a risk that the management will have to live with in this tournament. Odean Smith earned his place in the team and the skipper and the management will have to respect his ability to hit the ball and as a bowler it is the skipper who will have to get the best out of him. Romario Shepherd is certainly a utility player who could win matches. His bowling needs special attention and guidance. As for his batting he will come good in time.
Tabriz Shamzi was bought in the team and he is a world class bowler and he must bowl his full quota of overs. It is humiliating and wrong for the best bowler on the team to not be given the opportunity to perform. Keemo Paul, if he is on the team, must be fully fit and his first task is to bowl his full quota of overs. Kemo is a very good middle-order batsman and the skipper must respect him as a useful batman. Gudakesh Motie is the spinner, who is in good form and the team must give him that confidence. He is also a reliable lower order batsman. Imran Tahir is a pensioner and he is doing his best at his age. He is certainly over the hill. Using eight bowlers in a losing cause is desperation. Guyana desperately needs points on the board and the warriors will have to get into winning ways.
Our supporters will rally behind our Warriors and they will do better. Hetmyer is full of enthusiasm and is optimistic and he could be a source of inspiration to the team.
Sincerely,
Neil Kumar
