Winning title will boost Guyana’s confidence – Griffith

Assistant Coach of the Guyana T20 team, Rayon Griffith said now that his team is in the finals of the Antigua/Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Tri20 series, it’s crucial for them to complete the task of bringing home the title which will increase momentum ahead of the Regional season.
Speaking with the former National pacer on Thursday, Griffith told Guyana Times Sport that he is proud of the strides made by the reigning Regional Four Day Champs in the ongoing T20 tourney.

He added that while the competition is only contested among Guyana, Jamaica and the hosts Antigua, it is still important for the South Americans to win and build that momentum needed to compete well during the 2017/18 Regional season, specifically the Super50 competition.
“It’s very important for us to win this title. Not all the teams are participating but we would still like to win it so the players ’confidence will build heading into the Super50. For them to win and improve in their game and take the experience forward in their career because confidence is a main factor for the players, once they get the confidence it will be great for them,” said Griffith.
After winning three out of their four games to date, with the most recent being a 4-wicket win over the Jamaicans, Griffith admitted the while the team was a bit rusty in the beginning, the youngsters have stepped up to the challenge and have been heavily supporting their senior teammates.
Griffith explained “I’m satisfied with the teamwork; it’s a good experience for the players who are still learning. In the opening department young Sherfane Rutherford has taken up that role, he looked the part and he has been playing the part with Robin Bacchus as well. Our main concern was opening department because everything else has been okay for us.”
With Guyana more renowned for their skills in the 4-day format of late, their reputation in limited overs cricket has been contrasting as they have failed to secure the Regional 50-over title since 2005 and Griffith, who has spent time with the West Indies A as the Assistant Coach in the past, believed that fire shown by the youngsters during this series which has made him confident of winning the finals.
“I think with the younger players they will play with more of a free, clear mind, more energy and they’re more fearless so you’ll get the best out of them. However, the senior guys have been doing well, they have been playing well around the junior guys while helping them to get better,” stated Griffith.
Jamaica, on Thursday night beat Antigua Master Blasters to secure a spot in tonight’s final against Guyana which will be played under lights from 19:00h at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. However, having already beaten both sides, Antigua twice, the coach believed that Guyana can win regardless of who they face once they can maintain their bowling form.
“I think we have been coming along well in this competition because the in first game our guys were a bit rusty and we didn’t bowl well. The bowlers then found their way so now it’s about them going out and [playing] good cricket and bowling in the finals as they have been doing in the last few matches,” he ended.
Now that both sides have each other’s number in the series, the final encounter between these two sides will make for a thrilling match with Guyana the favorites. The last time these two sides met, Guyana won by 4 wickets and Veerasammy Permaul picked up his second MVP award while Sherfane Rutherford scored 50, making the aforementioned two players to look out for.
But Jamaica still have a number of big guns in their side and with skipper Chadwick Walton, Andre McCarthy, Steven Taylor, Trevon Griffith and Odean Smith to name a few being in the side, Guyana will be keen on not taking their opponents lightly come Saturday night.
Guyana squad reads; Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (V/Capt.), Robin Bacchus, Gajanand Singh, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Jonathon Foo, Anthony Bramble, Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Romario Shepherd, Ricardo Adams, Christopher Barnwell and Ramaal Lewis.
Jamaica will come from; Chadwick Walton (Captain), Andre McCarthy (Vice-Captain), Fabian Allen, Peat Salmon, Jermaine Harrison, Jamie Merchant, Chris Lamont, Chris Powell, Oraine Williams, Nicholson Gordon, Oshane Walters, Paul Harrison, Steven Taylor, Trevon Griffith and Odean Smith.