By Royston Alkins
Former West Indies under 19 all-rounder Keemo Paul has expressed delight with his maiden call-up to the Guyana Jaguars squad for the resumption of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League four-day competition.
The 19-year old will journey to Kingston, Jamaica with the Jaguars squad to take on Jamaica Scorpions, in a top-of-the-table contest.
Paul in an interview with Stabroek Sports said, “Well, I just want to give God thanks and praise for the opportunity. I want to take full advantage of it and make full use.”
Asked whether he expected a call-up so soon Paul added, “I expected it after coming back for the Super50 but not so soon.”
He disclosed that he has been batting against the bowling-machine with his main focus being to work on leaving the balls outside of his off-stump since the longer version of the game requires higher powers of concentration and patience.
“I’m not trying to curb my natural aggression, but I will just try to be more circumspect and play each ball on its merit,” added the right-hander.
Paul, who replaces fellow all-rounder and club-mate, Christopher Barnwell, had a decent run in the recent Regional Super50 tournament. He stroked a fluent 72 against English county side Kent while picking up 10 wickets with his best bowling figures being 4-31 against the Windward Islands.
The Essequibian commenting on playing in the Super50 said, “I’ve learned a lot playing against the senior guys. Coaches, Graeme West and Tony Gray, have worked with me and showed me a few things.”
Meanwhile, the selectors have also called up pacer Romario Shepherd, who comes into the squad to bolster the Jaguars bowling attack.
The team left yesterday for Jamaica.
The rest of the squad largely remains the same with the veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul expected to lead the batting charge after scoring (447) runs with two hundreds and two fifties from five matches. Shimron Hetymer is second Chanderpaul in terms of runs scored after five matches, he has so far scored 292 runs with three 50s.
The bowling will be led by left-arm orthodox Veerasammy Permaul, who has taken 27 wickets from five matches with 5 for 53 being his best returns. Pacer Keon Joseph, all-rounder Raymon Reifer and spinner, Gudakesh Motie, have all take 16 wickets each so far.
Scorpions lead the points table with 67.6 points with three wins followed closely by the Jaguars who are on 64.6 with two wins. The two teams will battle it out to see who will top the points table after the sixth round.
Jaguars squad: Taignarine Chanderpaul, Shemron Hetymer, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Rajendra Chandrika, Keemo Paul.
