Dreams do become a reality. For Guyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, playing cricket at the highest level has always been his dream.
Gudakesh Motie appealing during the match against Jamaica (Brandon Corlette photo)
Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket, and Motie’s dream is about to become a reality.
He has earned a maiden call-up to play for the West Indies against Bangladesh in the first Test match, which bowls off from Thursday June 16 in Antigua.
Obviously fit and strong, the 27-year-old Motie, a product of the venerable Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) in Region 6, has said he is grateful for this opportunity.
“I am very happy and excited about this achievement,” Motie told this daily publication in an exclusive interview. “Growing up, as a kid, I always dreamed about playing at the highest level, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Gudakesh Motie claimed 17 wickets at the West Indies Championships in Trinidad
Motie completed the recently concluded West Indies Regional Four-Day Championships among the top five leading wicket-takers with 17 wickets, and has said he was not thinking about a call-up, but was focused on getting strong performances and on enjoy the game.
In the tournament mentioned above, this promising left-hander also scored 225 runs at an average of 45, and slammed his maiden century against champions Barbados Pride.
“It has been a good season for me. I always work very hard on all aspects, and I always set myself to be among the top wicket-takers in any tournament, and I am happy that I achieved that. Scoring my maiden first-class hundred was pleasing for me. I was not thinking call-up, I was more focused on getting the performance and enjoy the game,” the Berbician has said.
Motie has said his fitness is very important, and it plays a huge part in him staying mentally and physically strong. He also credited the work he had done during the off-season to the coaches.
Motie has impressed in white-ball cricket as well
Rahkeem Cornwall, Veerasamy Permaul and Jomel Warrican have been the West Indies frontline Test spinners of recent. When asked what he brings to the table in order to maintain a place in the Test team, Motie said: “I will continue putting in the hard work, and try to be consistent for long periods.”
An ever-improving individual who often works on his variety and bowls attacking lines and lengths, Motie has been a consistent regional performer in recent years. He was the leading wicket-taker in the last Regional Super50 Cup, and his 17 wickets this season came at an average of 24.76.
Motie played in one T20 International for the West Indies in Pakistan, and his disciplined figures of 0-29 in four overs included 10 dot balls. He opened the bowling against two current white-ball giants of the game, Babar Azam and Mohamed Rizwan.
A very positive individual, Motie, who finished with a batting strike-rate of 93 at the recent West Indies Championships, has also impressed for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, and has been retained for the upcoming season.
Importantly, Motie has played for West Indies Under-19s and West Indies A teams. He credits his family, fellow teammates and coaches for his success. “I credit my family, they are always there for me, no matter the situation. Mr Vemen Walters, he is someone that is always there to guide me in the right direction.
“Credit to my club and senior players and all the coaches that helped me thus far,” Motie has said.
Motie has played 34 first-class matches and has taken 117 wickets in his career. He has a stellar bowling average of 21.15, with four five-wicket hauls. His best bowling figure is 6-20.
