By Delvon Mc Ewan
Manager of the national Under-19 team David Black said his main objective is to have several members of the team elevate to the senior level while he is occupying the managerial position of the youth team.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport ahead of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter-County tournament, Black said he would be more than elated to see several of the players go on to represent Guyana at the highest level. “If this dream becomes a reality then the manifestation of my work will be evident.”
Black has filled the position of manager for two years. In that period, Shimron Hetmyer made his debut for Guyana at the senior level while Tagenarine Chanderpaul continues to be a constant member of the team.
“To have members of the current squad emulate Hetmyer and Chanderpaul will certainly bring joy to the team which has been performing excellently over the past month,” he said.
However, he is more hopeful of his players’ selection in the limited overs team than that of the three-day because their approach to the shorter version is compatible to it.
The national U-19 team recently dominated the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 tournament, winning both (the three-day and limited over versions) formats which was held in Guyana.
With regard to their expected performance, Black said he hopes his the players retain their form and play well. He was reluctant to predict his team’s performance stating that he will take each game one at a time.
It will be the first time a national U-19 side will be involved in the senior inter-county competition, a step that Black opined as being good towards the development of Guyana’s cricket. “It will put pressure on the experienced players to perform, especially those who believe their places are permanent within the team.”
The U19 team will open its campaign against Berbice today at the Everest Cricket Club ground from 9:30a.m while Demerara will tackle Essequibo at Wales Community Development Centre ground at the said time.
The team reads; Brian Sattaur (captain), Sharaz Ramcharran (vice-captain), Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Askay Homraj, Keon Morris, Kemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Savory, Nial Smith, Damion Waldron, Akel Wallace. David Black will be the team’s manager, Adrian Amsterdam the head coach while Michael Hyles and Julian Moore will be Amsterdam’s assistants.
