Youths can be given opportunities, but balance is important ꟷ Coach Crandon

By Brandon Corlette

After eight rounds of mixed fortunes for Guyana Jaguars in the Regional 4-Day season, it will take a miraculous effort for the five-time defending champions to reclaim their title at this stage.

Many may have taken the route of exposing some young players if the remaining two rounds commence, but this call has to be made by the franchise and the selectors.
“You always want to give players opportunities, but you still have to look at balance. It’s a franchise, and our job is to win games for the franchise.
“From my perspective, it’s about balance, and not only winning, but also developing and giving players exposure,” Crandon emphasized.
He noted that this is the only way players can get experience, by playing more games and continuing to learn.

“With regards to that (selection of young players), the selectors need to do their job as to their thinking. They need to see a few new players, and give them the opportunity to go, if this competition recommences”.
Crandon posited that he wants to get the best players available, those who would win matches for the team. He noted that he has no problem with given players opportunity, but it must be some sort of experience, and the person involved must be a youth who can win games for the Jaguars.
Rich crop of youths
Guyana has a rich crop of players that are hitting on the doors for selection. Some names coming to mind are: West Indies U-19 duo of Ashmead Nedd and Kevlon Anderson; Gudakesh Motie, former West Indies U-19 World Cup winner Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud and Ronaldo Alimohammed. These are notable names that may seek opportunities in the final two rounds, if the suspended Regional 4-Day tournament resumes.

19-year-old left-arm spinner Nedd has shown great skill despite his youth. He dominated junior cricket, and announced himself at the senior level when he represented the West Indies Emerging Players’ team in finesse.
Nedd has played six List A matches, and taken 11 wickets with an economy rate of 3.27. He and Kevin Sinclair, first-class cricket at the moment, bowled in tandem for the Emerging Players.
However, Nedd, who looks ready to play first-class cricket, will have to battle for a spot, since Guyana is the land of left-arm spinners, of which Motie and Veerasammy Permaul are the senior left-armers.
Anderson has shown great composure, looking unbothered at the senior level in the domestic circuit, where he chalked up centuries at the senior franchise level and has shown great skill at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Motie has not been getting an extended run in the starting XI. The left-arm spinner played one match this season and emerged with an overall of 29. Motie, who played for the West Indies U-19, has exactly 100 first-class wickets, and the 24-year experienced spinner is filled with promise.

Imlach, another former West Indies U-19 player, has only played two first-class matches. The classy right-handed wicket-keeper top-order batsman has seemingly not found his feet at this level, but the hardworking youth deserves an extended run in the Jaguars team.
Persaud has also played two first-class matches, but is yet to get an extended run in the starting XI.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul has been having an extended bad patch, but has remained in the team for all eight matches played this season.

Alimohammed has shown his all-round capabilities, and has come through the ranks. He will also be a great asset to the Jaguars in the future. So why not give him and other youngsters experience to learn from 4-Day cricket?