The executives and members of the Young Warriors Cricket Club at Cumberland, Berbice are elated at the elevation of their member Shimron Hetmyer to the Senior West Indies team for the upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan in the Caribbean beginning on Friday in Jamaica. The members offer their heart felt congratulations to their exciting young opener who has dominated cricket at all levels. The twenty year old is the first player from the club to be called up for senior West Indies duties. However, over the years the club produced many outstanding West Indies junior players and national youth and senior players such as former national captain Damodar Daesrath, recently CPL bound Gajanand Singh, Richard Ramdeen, Balram Samaroo, Kwesi Maltay, Linden Austin and many others.
From Young Warriors to the world! An elated Shimron Hetmyer after lifting the Youth World Cup in Bangladesh in February 2016
In a statement from Rafeek Kassim, newly elected president of the club, he stated that Shimron’s success was purely due to hard work, commitment and humility. He said that his talent was spotted since he was six years old accompanying his elder brother Seon Hetmyer, a former national youth player to the cricket ground. His class was obvious and with proper guidance, there was no doubt that he would one day don West Indies colors as he is about to do. Kassim said that his achievement has made his club and everyone in the East Canje area extremely proud.
Kassim called on parents to send their young children to the club so that more Shimrons can be found. The club’s president also praised him for having a good head on his shoulders highlighting that he was the first West Indies under 19 captain to win a youth World Cup, which he did last year in Bangladesh.
The president would like to thank his parents, the former and current executives of the club, his team mates and all those who have helped the batting star during his career so far. Special mention was made of his coach Hubern Evans, a former national cricket, selector and coach. He added that Evans provided the technical support for Shimron throughout his career along with Kwesi Maltay. He also mentioned the role of former Berbice all-rounder Anil Beharry who was an executive for the club for over 15 years. He said Beharry was the person responsible for guiding Shimron throughout his career.
In closing, Kassim wished Shimron well and encourages him to keep his feet grounded and don’t get carried away with success. He also encouraged him to stay humble and keep God in his daily life.
