National middle order batsman Travis Dowlin has expressed his elation at being appointed captain of the Guyana national cricket team for next year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Carib Beer cricket competition.
In an invited comment with Stabroek Sport, Dowlin, who was appointed captain of the Demerara cricket team that participated in the just-concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Pepsi/Carib Beer Inter-county 2020 competition but resigned, would be leading the team for a third time.
“I am elated at being given the captaincy. I know that it comes with a lot of responsibility, but having done so before I know what to expect as well as what needs to be carried out in order to get the best out of my team.”
The 31-year-old Dowlin, who was at the helm of the Guyana team for the recently-concluded WICB President’s Cup competition, also expressed his confidence in the team, calling it a balanced one.
“We have a balanced team, with a batting lineup that consists of some very experienced players and to my mind, that’s where our strength lies. With a batting lineup that includes openers Krishna Arjune, Shemroy Barrington and Royston Crandon and a formidable middle order in Leon Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, Steven Jacobs, Christopher Barnwell and myself, I am confident that we can do well in this tournament.”
He added:”Once we put our shoulders together and are prepared to work hard, we can achieve the success. We have the artillery to do so as apart from our batting, our bowling looks formidable.
Also we can call on the services of Esaun Crandon and Brendon Bess, both of whom I will be calling on to do some extra work with the ball.
“They will be ably complemented by Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Jacobs, with Permaul at the moment being in a class of his own of late, as he has been able to exhibit lots of control with the ball, whether it is old or new, and it is with this in mind, that I say we have a balanced team.”
Stanford 20/20 training
Dowlin has compared the preparation the team is undergoing at present under the guidance of coach Albert Smith to the one the championship winning Guyana/Stanford Twenty20 team underwent prior to the start of the tournament.
“This training that we are presently undergoing can be compared to the one we endured during our preparation for the inaugural Stanford Twenty20 competition two years ago. There were lots of intensity with the emphasis being the players’ fitness.
“I think that fitness is a key in any sport and with the game of cricket, it is an added boost for a cricketer to be fit. When you look at the format for next year’s competition, fitness is a prerequisite as players will have to rally for four days and 12 rounds of cricket,” Dowlin added.
“We did some sprints and long distance running at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday whilst there are pool sessions at the Colgrain Pool. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is also being used for beep tests and for match practice. We are looking at utilizing the concrete pitch at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) ground, where the batsmen would be able to adjust themselves to the bounce of the softer ball.”
When asked to comment on any personal goals that he has in mind for the tournament, the soft spoken Dowlin stated that his main focus was to get amongst the runs and place his team in a winning position.
“I am batting quite well, therefore it is only compulsory that I look to continue in that same vein. In my last match in this competition, I got over 150 (176*) against the Windward Islands at Providence and I will be looking to capitalize on such form while at the same time, take the responsibility of the team’s batting on my shoulders.”
Guyana will oppose the Windward Islands in their first game in Grenada from January 9-12 and they will move to Barbados to oppose the Combined Colleges and Campuses from January 16- 19 before returning home.
They have been given a bye for the third round.
