Youth cricketers commence rivalry for national spots

GCB/Hand-In-Hand U-19 50-Over…

By Delvon McEwan

Some of the nation’s leading youth cricketers will today be involved in two limited overs’ cricket matches that will be used to select a National Under-19 team to participate in the Regional Under-19 Tournament in July-August.
These players will turn out for county sides Berbice, Essequibo, and reigning champions Demerara, along with the National U-17 Select squad in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Hand-In-Hand Insurance U-19 Inter-County Tournament, the 50-Over segment.
Berbice, with their tactical play and mature approach; and Demerara, arguably the most talented side, are the top contenders to win the title; but Essequibo, boosted by some talented players who represented Demerara in the past but opted to play for the Cinderella County and the U-17 Select squad, are predicted to create some upsets.
The tournament, which bridges the gap between the juniors and seniors, would expectedly be used by the sport’s national governing body to recognize the standard of play and earmark talent for the future.
In recent times, players like Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul and Shimron Hetmyer have graduated from the junior level straight into the senior team, with Hetmyer already gaining exposure at the highest level, playing three international Test matches against Pakistan.
Demerara Captain Bhaskar Yadram has already played at the senior level, but is still developing his skills; and this could be the ideal arena for him to firmly establish himself as one for the future. The right- handed top-order batsman was recently named in the West Indies squad for the upcoming tour of Africa, and participation in this tournament could enhance his preparation for the big stage.
Besides Yadram, all eyes would be on wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Persaud, who has also been named in the West Indies U-19 squad. Persaud’s approach has, in recent times, seemingly lacked venom. He looks nothing like the batsman he was in 2014, when he recorded three centuries in the calendar year and was a member of the successful Guyana squad that won the Regional U-19 title. The 17-year-old has failed horribly in several outings for his club — Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) – in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), and has had some poor returns for Georgetown during the Demerara Inter-Association competition.
However, with a better approach and the will power to succeed, opposition bowlers could feel the full blunt of Persaud’s talent when he gets going.
Another key player to look for from the county sides is Kurt Lovell, a talented middle order batsman who opted to represent Essequibo instead of Demerara, where he could get to focus on scoring runs and contribute to his team’s performance in this tournament.
Also from the Cinderella County is fast bowler Joshua Jones, whose speed could be intimidating to batsmen; and he could frustrate bowlers with his capability with the bat.
Steve Deonarine, Kevin Sinclair, Adrian Sukwah, Javed Karim and Sylus Tyndall are the key players from Berbice.
With the likes of Renaldo Ali Mohammed, Raymond Perez, Keshram Seyhodan and Richie Looknauth, along with the West Indies U-19 duo, Demerara is expected to fare well in this tournament.
Meanwhile, the National Under-17 team, which is expected to be led by Berbician Kevlon Anderson, is a very strong unit. Anderson, as Berbice skipper, won the GCB/ Igloo Ice Cream U-17 Inter-County Title subsequent to being at the helm when Lower Corentyne Secondary won the National Secondary Schools Cricket League.
Properly monitored, this team can create upsets in the 50-Over segment as well as the three-day tournament. Several players from this squad would have made their county side if this fourth team were excluded from competing. A lot of positives is expected to come out of this tournament for this squad, currently preparing for the Regional U-17 tournament.
Hopefully, the coaches and managers would utilize their expertise to monitor these players to ensure they give of their best performance on the field.
The teams are as follows: Essequibo: Mark Williams, Sachin Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Adrian Campbell, Mark Ramsammy, Joshua Jones, Quintin Sampson, Beesham Moses, Leslie Allen, Sheldon Charles, Mahindra Persaud, Chanderpaul Mohabir, Kellin Davis, Joel fortune, Azeem Habib, Loaknauth Persaud (Manager), Andy Ramnarine (Coach)
Berbice: Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Sinclair, Sasenarine Sukhoo, Veramootoo Senwasane, Javid Karim, Matthew Hardyal, Daniel Samaroo, Emmanuel Seecharran, Karan Arjpaul, Keith Simpson, Deon Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Raymond Vankenic, Steve Deonarine, Michael Newland (Manager), Adrian Amsterdam (Coach)
Demerara: Bhaskar Yadram (Captain), Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (Vice Captain), Joshua Persaud, Raymond Perez, Navendra Persaud, Ramnarine Chature, Richie Looknauth, Keshram Seyhodan, Stephon Wilson, Sagar Hatharamani, Dwayne Dick, Kishna Singh, Garvin Bodwah, Dambuka Nqgando, Darshan Persaud, Mark Jeffers, Kennard Moonsammy, Mark Ramsammy, Himanauth Dindyal, Omar Hussine (Manager), Rayon King (Coach), Dhanpaul (Assistant Coach)
Guyana Under-17: Alex Alvin Algoo, Sachin Stefan Singh, Orlando Jailall, Junior Alvin Sinclair, Kevlon Alston Anderson, Kevin Imran Christian, Robin Williams, Lance Rusell Roberts, Alphius Malcolm Bookie, Rajendra Singh, Nigel Deodat, Ashmead Romanno Nedd, Pradesh Ballkishun, Kelvin Umrao, Mark Gary Rankin, Gevon Shemar Schultz, Reyaz Khan, Qumar Tychicus Torrington, Nazeer Mohamed (Manager), Orin Bailey (Coach)
In the opening matches, Demerara will take on the U-17 squad at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, while Berbice and Essequibo will meet at Everest Cricket Club Ground.
Both matches will get underway at 9:30h.