It is becoming increasingly apparent that all-rounder Keemo Paul is one of the naturally gifted young seamers in the region after observing the manner in which he picked up his second nine-wicket haul in Regional first-class cricket during Guyana’s crushing eight-wicket win over the Barbados Pride over the weekend.
Paul got incredible sideways movement in both innings to test the Barbados’ Pride batsmen’s character and techniques.
He grabbed 5 – 59 in the first innings and was even more impressive in the second innings where he bagged 4 – 63.
In a spell reminiscence of the olden days when quality fast bowlers ruled the regional circuit, the young workhorse also showed his stamina by sending down a total of 40.3 overs across both innings.
He also combined with wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble for four of his wickets while hitting the stumps twice and having the other three wickets coming via catches in the slip region and LBW.
His methods of dismissal indicates that he understands how to get his wickets and that he is executing his plans reasonably efficiently.
It was a remarkable performance by the young man, considering the known fact that most batsmen from Barbados usually acquit themselves quite well against bowlers coming in on the long run.
The 19-year old, speaking to Stabroek Sports after his exploits with the ball, considered his returns, though not his best figures, to be right up there with his finest.
“Well, I must say it was a good spell from me yesterday afternoon [Satur-day]. My rhythm was good, and I felt excellent running in, and I rate it as one of my best bowling performance in regional cricket since I’ve started,” the young man indicated.
“It’s obviously tough”, he confessed, commenting on the demands of first-class cricket, for which he is embracing like a man beyond his years. He credits the preparation process heading into the tournament for his body being able to withstand the rigours of the four-day game.
Paul is also making waves with the bat, setting the bar high and he is aware that he needs a few more big scores to follow up his first-round century in order crown off an impressive season.
“I’ve not been as consistent with the bat after my hundred like I wanted to be but I know that I have it in me to get some more big sores down the line and hopefully beginning the next match I can go out and get those runs.”
After five matches this season, Paul is sixth on the wicket-taking chart with 20 wickets, the second most by a seamer only behind the Leeward Island Hurricane’s Jeremiah Louis who has 23.
Paul, however, has an impressive strike rate of 37.6 only behind spinner Nikita Miller’s 28.8.
