Sinclair, Smith aiming to grab opportunity with both hands

By Brandon Corlette

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club all-rounder Kevin Sinclair and Tucber Park paceman Nial Smith are the new faces in the Guyana Jaguars 4-Day Squad that will play the first round of matches in Antigua from January 9.

After the final practice match, Sinclair and Smith spoke to Guyana Times Sport, each expressing great satisfaction at earning a maiden call-up.

Sinclair unfazed about transition from white-ball to red-ball
The moment Sinclair steps on the field, he gives that extra 110%, whether in batting, or bowling his right-arm off-spin. He announced himself at the senior stage in the recent Regional Super50 Cup, where he played a significant role in the West Indies Emerging Players team that won the tournament. Now he is eager to extend his form when he rocks the whites of the Guyana Jaguars.

Asked about the transition process from white-ball to red-ball cricket, Sinclair disclosed that he is switched on to the longer format.
“Back home in Berbice, we had two-day cricket, so I quickly came back into red-ball mode and it was just a quick transition for me,” the off-spinning all-rounder noted. After narrowly missing out on the Jaguars Super50 call-up due to questionable selection policy, Sinclair has now got his opportunity in the longer format.
Sharing his sentiments on the maiden call-up to the senior team, Sinclair had this to say: “It’s always a great feeling coming into this set-up. It’s always tough to get in, so when you get in, you just have to grab the opportunity with both hands and make full use of it”.
Reflecting on the Guyana Jaguars practice matches, the 20-year-old Sinclair said it was a good outing for him. “It was really good for me. In the first match I chipped in with a fifty, and got three wickets in this match, so it was a good all-round practice game for me, and hopefully I take this form into the tournament,” he declared.
Sinclair had the best economy rate in the Super50 tournament, ending with 13 wickets in nine matches with best bowling figures of 4-20.

Smith seeking to cement spot with good performances
With his fellow Tucber Park club mate Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul missing Jaguars selection due to West Indies commitments, Smith will have to make an immediate impact when he turns out for Guyana Jaguars to bowl his first ball in 4-Day cricket.
With his extreme pace, the right-arm speedster has been impressing since the Cricket Guyana Inc. one-day franchise league. Speaking on attaining his maiden 4-Day selection, Smith said he would be looking to take it game by game.
“It’s a great feeling to get this opportunity. I didn’t really have much games in the Super50, but I am looking forward to this 4-Day. The squad could (be) different after the first game, but I am looking to cement my spot with good performances”, Smith explained.
He added that it takes a lot of training and hard work to break into the Guyana team, and he has been putting in the hard work.
The right-arm quickie, who took one wicket in the two matches he played in the Super50, said the 4-Day format would give him the opportunity to get himself in the game and get it right.
Apart from bringing his extreme pace to the table, Smith brings joy in the dressing room with his jolly character. The 24-year-old Smith highlighted that he is motivated to hit the ground running with the ball and show everyone why he has been selected.