Permaul says Lara’s wicket was a highlight during his road to 500 wickets

By Brandon Corlette in Antigua

Guyana Harpy Eagles left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul recently picked up 500 wickets for Guyana in First-Class cricket. The 33-year-old who has 574 First-Class wickets overall (including Tests, A teams and First-Class) dedicated the milestone to his dad and his late mom.
In a wide-ranging interview with <<<Guyana Times Sport>>>, after the game at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Permaul recalled the wicket of Brian Lara, and noted that it was a highlight during his road to 500 wickets while playing for Guyana.
“The second season for me, it was when I got Brian Lara caught and bowled. I think that was his last season as well. Also when I got past Mahendra Nagamootoo, who had the most wickets for Guyana at that time.”
“It is just me and Nikita Miller are the top wicket-takers at that time, and until now in the Caribbean. I am a few wickets away from being the leading wicket-taker in the Region,” Permaul said.
Permaul also thanked his parents for the sacrifices they made over the years. “I want to give God praise and thanks for giving me this opportunity for representing Guyana over the years. I want to dedicate this milestone to my parents, my father and late mother for the sacrifice they have made for me over the years.
“It is a special feeling to get more than 500 First-Class wickets for my country, I don’t think anyone else has done it (for Guyana), so it is a special feeling for me.”
When asked on how his body is feeling and how long he can keep going, the man from Albion Community Centre Cricket Club said: “I don’t know. God has that say. All I can do is go out and do the work. Put in the training and work hard on my game. God is in control.”
Permaul is aiming to finish his First-Class career with the most wickets of any bowler in the Caribbean. “I am looking to finish with the most wickets (in First-Class cricket in the Caribbean). I would love to get at least 600 or more for Guyana, before I finish playing. But God knows the best.”
The soft-spoken Berbician, who has a level two coaching certificate, said he was aiming to graduate with a level three certificate and start his coaching career after his retirement.
“Basically, I already finished level two in coaching. Before I finish playing First-Class cricket, I would want to finish my level three, so it will be an easy transition to get into coaching after cricket,” Permaul said.
Permaul made his debut for Guyana in First-Class cricket in January 2007 in St George’s, Grenada, the country where Guyana Harpy Eagles will play the second round of the West Indies championships. To date, Permaul has featured in 16 seasons of First-Class cricket for Guyana.
Permaul’s most fruitful season for Guyana came in 2014/15, when he claimed 67 wickets in 10 matches. Permaul has played nine Tests, seven One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and one T20 International (T20I) for the West Indies.