West Indies 4-Day Championships: Seeram calling for better shot selection from Guyana Harpy Eagles

– Johnson under pressure to score

Guyana Harpy Eagles Lead Selector Ravindranath Seeram has described the team as a balanced one, but is calling for the batsmen to score big and make better shot selections.
During a media briefing on Thursday, Seeram disclosed that Guyana Captain Leon Johnson’s days are numbered as they relate to selection.
“We had two four-day trials, which ended in three days. So, it shows that either the bowlers are bowling well, or the batsmen are not batting or getting big scores,” he said.
Guyana Harpy Eagles will be without last season’s top two run-getters in Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who scored 439 runs, and Vishaul Singh, who accumulated 262 runs. Chandrapaul Hemraj, who had 227 runs, and Tevin Imlach, who had 215 runs, will have to step up as the other batsmen. Seeram says he has not been pleased with the shots played by the Guyanese batsmen during the recent trial matches.

“I think we do have a balanced squad. For the guys to excel, we need the batters to make more runs. I think the bowlers can hold their own, but I think the batters need to score more runs and make better choices in shot selection, especially the shots they played during the trials.
Seeram has noted that age is not on Leon Johnson’s side, and the opening matches in Antigua and Grenada will determine his future in the team. The 35-year-old Johnson, who scored 163 runs at an average of 23 in eight innings last season, and scored 472 runs at 36 in the 2019/20 season, will be aiming to “find his groove” and lead from the front.
“If there is another trial match, and if there is somebody that can fill that number four or five position that Johnson bats in…age is not on his side,” Seeram added.
Asked if Johnson’s failure to score this season would result in him being dropped, Seeram said: “The first two games will tell you. If he does not perform, then that is it for him.”
The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad is: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Nedd and Shamar Joseph. The Manager is Albert Clements, Head Coach is Ryan Hercules, Assistant Coach is Garvin Nedd, Cricket Analyst is Keshava Ramphal, and the Physiotherapist is Angelica Holder.
In the opening round of these West Indies Championships, Guyana will play defending champions Barbados Pride from February 1 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. (Brandon Corlette)