JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – Guyana will hope for a consolation win to cap off a wretched Champions League Twenty20 debut campaign when they face the unbeaten South Australia Redbacks today.
The Caribbean side’s debut in the lucrative tournament has been marred by misery as they have suffered heavy losses in their three games so far and face the prospects of finishing without a single win to their name.
They will clash with South Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, with the Australians at the top of Group A after winning all three of their matches.
Guyana have appeared out of their depth at this level and will be hard-pressed to beat South Australia who have been clinical in their execution.
Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan said Guyana needed an improved effort from the batsmen, especially at the top of the order in the early overs.
“The openers have really not been able to give us any good starts. (Sewnarine) Chattergoon is one of our experienced players and Travis (Dowlin) is our leading run scorer,” the West Indies batsman said.
“They have both played Test cricket and much was expected of them to build a foundation for us.”
That has not been the case. Chattergoon has been good for 10, one and four while Dowlin has managed scores of 18, seven and seven.
Sarwan, whose three innings have yielded 74 runs, hinted he may have to move up the order in order to ensure a solid start to the innings.
“We thought of changing the opening pair for the last game but then Narsingh (Deonarine) got injured and we decided to use them at the top again,” Sarwan explained.
“(Richard) Ramdeen is the only other specialist opener on tour and maybe I can open the batting. In the last match I came out with the mindset to be positive from the start and was really timing the ball well.
“Even if I open I will look to be aggressive and if can bat most of the overs should get a big score.”
Ramdeen could make his debut while Lennox Cush, Chris Barnwell or Derwin Christian could be asked to open with him, if Sarwan opts to remain at number three.
South Australia, meanwhile, will look to keep their unbeaten record intact. In Shaun Tait, they have the world’s quickest bowler and will be handful for Guyana’s top order.
The batting has so far been led by Michael Klinger and he will be favoured to get his fourth half-century in as many matches.
