Guyana Amazon Warrior newbies, Assad Fudadin and Paul Wintz yesterday expressed delight over being snapped up by the local franchise ahead of this summer’s 2015 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament.
Following the official 2015 draft which was held in Jamaica on Thursday, the two national players along with veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and leg-break spinner Devendra Bishoo will be part of the squad for the first time.
Wintz, the right-arm seamer during his brief telephone interview with Stabroek Sports said, “Basically I’m excited to be a part of the team because I’ve been trying for the past two years, so I guess the third time lucky”, he said in elation.
The 28-year-old, who was a part of Guyana’s 2010 Champions League T20 side, was also excited about rubbing shoulders with the international crop of players featured in the side, the likes of ; Brad Hodge, Lasith Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera, saying “I’m looking to be in the mix with the guys and to rub shoulders with the international players.
“This is supposed to be a very interesting experience in meeting new players and getting to know new stuff which will take my game to new levels. I was waiting for any opportunity to perform for the team if ever I was called upon so I think it’s a nice to be here now”, he said.
The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player who has been in good bowling form for Guyana in the shorter formats over the past few seasons said he is relishing the opportunity to learn a lot from Sri Lanka fast-bowler and future teammate Malinga, who is regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. “I’m really looking forward to meeting him (Malinga) and talking-to him so I can learn a lot to improve my bowling”.
Meanwhile, the batting department of the Warriors will have another composed, elegant player in Fudadin who brings the experience of playing cricket for Guyana, West Indies A and the West Indies Test team to the table.
“I’m just happy to be selected all praises to the almighty, I will try to the use the selection to the best of my ability and gain as much from such a high intensity tournament which has a lot of experienced international players. I think the experiences will be good for my career in the shorter format for the future”, the left-hander briefly explained. Malinga, along with teammates Dilshan and Perera along with Australian T20 specialist batsman Hodge, joins the party for their 2015 campaign, while Chanderpaul, Bishoo, Wintz and Fudadin are a part of the squad for the first time.
The two-time finalists have also retained off-spinner Sunil Narine, opener Lendl Simmons, wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin and all-rounder Christopher Barnwell while left-arm spinner Verasammy Permaul, speedster Ronsford Beaton and opener Trevon Griffith also remain a part of the Warriors outfit.
There was no selection for Guyanese; Leon Johnson, Steven Jacobs and Robin Bacchus along with New Zealander James Neesham, who were a part of the team last season. The 2015 CPL is expected to bowl off from June 20 to July 26.
