Captain and coach of the Guyana limited overs team Travis Dowlin and Albert Smith expect the team to do well when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s Cup competition commences here from Thurs-day.
In an invited comment with Stabroek Sport during their first net session yesterday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Dowlin did not fail to highlight the absence of four key players in opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, and middle order batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Leon Johnson, who will be on West Indies duty in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“It is a pretty young team, but obviously we will be playing at home and with the home advantage weighing heavily in our favour and providing we play as a team and stick together as a unit, many things can be achieved, including winning the tournament,” he added.
Dowlin, who was a part of the Stanford Superstars squad that defeated England in the one off 20/20 match in Antigua earlier this month, also stated that the team was looking to keep it simple, while giving a good account of itself and enjoying the games in the process.
“We will be enjoying it, whilst at the same time keeping it simple on the field.
“We are playing for our country in front of our fans at home, so it is expected that we give a good account of ourselves, as a lot of pride and passion will be taking place out there,” Dowlin stated.
When quizzed on who would be the host country’s toughest opponent, Dowlin stated that he was taking it one game at a time, as his goal is to lift the trophy on the night of the 23rd at the National Stadium, Provi-dence. “I will be taking (it) one day at a time. But having said that and with the absence of the bigger names in the tournament, the Jamaicans would be the team to watch in our group, even though we know that the Windward Islands can spring a surprise on their day.”
He continued: “We would not be taking anybody lightly. We will be going out there and will be looking to win every game, get into the semi-finals then the final and take it home on the 23rd November right in front of our home fans and what better way to win a title, than at home.”
Like Dowlin, Smith who has been the longest serving senior national coach, also expects the team to perform to the best of its ability.
“This team has the potential to do very well in the tournament. Even though we have lost four experienced players to the West Indies team, we still have a bunch of guys who have been around and know what is expected of them.
“We are not the only country to lose some of its players to the West indies team, as others have lost theirs, with the exception of the Windward and Leeward Islands and they should be the stronger teams in the competition,” said Smith.
“But we have a young team, with a few experienced players in skipper Travis Dowlin, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Narsingh Deonarine and everybody seems fit and ready to go.
We also have the advantage of playing at home and the players are looking forward to this competition.”
Smith, who is also acting as chairman of selectors, believes that the team is a well balanced one which would give a good account of itself in the tournament.
“This is a well balanced team. The batting has some talent in the likes of Dowlin, Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Gajanand Singh, Christopher Barnwell and Steven Jacobs. The bowling line up is also a good one with Trevon Garraway, Brendon Bess and Barnwell all capable new ball bowlers, but I would give the edge to the batting.”
Meanwhile, Barnwell, who will be making his debut in the tournament, having failed to do so last year while being a member of the team which lost to Jamaica in the semi-final at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, told Stabroek Sport that he was looking to have a good tournament, while at the same time ensuring Guyana come out victorious.
“It is a very good feeling to be a part of the national team and I want to give thanks to God for giving me the strength to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. Having said such, I intend to make the best of my opportunity this year, after being unable to do so last year.”
The 21-year-old Barnwell added, “The loss of the senior players to the West Indies team has given me the perfect opportunity to go out there and showcase my talent, and I intend to make the best use of it. First of all, as an all-rounder, I would like to score a century with the bat, then when given the ball, I do not intend to go for more than three runs or under an over.”
“My aim is to average around 50 and at the same time put my team in a good position for the semi-finals and take it from there. I am not feeling any pressure at the moment, as for me it is just a normal cricket game which is giving me the opportunity to go out there and showcase my talent.”
The Guyanese had their first practice session at the DCC ground yesterday afternoon in sweltering heat. As is customary with teams preparing for competitions whether at home or away, the availability of balls was a humbug to coach Smith and his assistant Orin Bailey, as they had to wait for over 35 minutes for balls to arrive.
