The Guyana cricket selectors have decided to strengthen the Guyana team’s batting for today’s West Indies Cricket Board’s Super50 match against the Combined Campuses and Colleges team by including the dependable West Indies middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Chanderpaul missed the just concluded four-day encounter which the Guyana team won outright by 46 runs at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Chairman of the national cricket selectors Rayon Griffith yesterday confirmed that Chanderpaul should be in consideration for the final XI after not being a part of the team’s four day set up.
Chanderpaul who was absent from the four-day squad for personal reasons will return to action in front of his home crowd and staunch supporters as Guyana look to gain some much needed points in the hunt for a semi-final spot of the Super50 format.
Coach Esuan Crandon along with skipper Veerasammy Premaul have both indicated that Guyana’s batting has been decent throughout the tournament but converting the starts by some of the batsmen to substantial scores has been a bit of a worry for the team’s camp.
Leon Johnson is one such player who has scored 141 runs at an average of 35.25 and he will no doubt be aiming to converting his many good starts to three figures.
The experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan and Narsingh Deonarine have both had decent starts in the tournament and will also be keen on improving their conversion rate while the returning Chanderpaul is expected to be the glue that holds the middle order together.
All-rounder Steven Jacobs, who in the absence of Chris Barnwell, stepped up with bat and ball in the four day game against the CCC team, could again be a key figure in the lineup and will be depended heavily upon.
Opening batsman Trevon Griffith’s partner is not yet known but they will be expected to lead the batting and have the responsibility of taking advantage of the field restrictions while setting a platform for the innings.
The strength of the Guyana team lies in their bowling department. Pacer Ronsford Beaton along with his skipper Veerasammy Permaul had 15 wickets between them in the win over CCC and should once again play key roles while leg spinner Devendra Bishoo, who showed some form against the CC team, will also be a handful in the slow bowling department and will be backed up by all rounder Jacobs.
Wicket- Keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble had a decent outing with the bat getting good starts in both innings. He also had a decent outing with the gloves but will be looking to improve his glove work in the upcoming games.
Guyana currently lie sixth in the point’s standings with a mere four points and a win today will keep them in contention for a spot in the Super50 format semi-finals providing they can pull off a win against table leaders Jamaica this Sunday.
CCC, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Guyana and towards that end, will look to players such as Raymon Reifer and Captain Kyle Corbin who have been among the runs in previous games along with Kevin McClean who showed he is no slouch with the bat in the last encounter with Guyana.
Their opening batsmen Shacaya Thomas and Anthony Alleyne both got off to decent starts in the last match and will want to provide a platform for the rest of the team.
With the ball CCC operated with discipline and proved to be a handful throughout the tournament.
The bowling department which includes Nikoli Parris who grabbed seven wickets in the last match along with Ryan Austin who picked up six will be looking to carry their form with the ball into today’s game.
Support will be provided by Akeem Dewar and McClean who have been among the wickets.
CCC is placed 5th on the table with 10 points and will be looking to win their remaining games to allow them a spot in the final four.
CCC Super50 Squad: Kyle Corbin (Captain), Anthony Alleyne, Ryan Austin, Kesrick Williams, Jamal Smith, Jason Dawes, Akeem Dewar, Kevin McLean, Nikoli Parris, Floyd Reifer, Raymon Reifer, Shacaya Thomas, Chadwick Walton (Wicket-keeper).
The team’s final playing 11 was not officially released but will be selected prior the match today.
Guyana Super50 Squad: Trevon Griffith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, Rajiv Ivan, and Zaheer Mohamed.
The match starts at 14:00hrs and is a day/night encounter. The admission to the game is GY $500.00.
