The depth of Guyana’s cricketing nursery and pedigree of its academy structure will come under scrutiny during the initial part of this year’s Regional Four-day Championship which begins in just a few weeks’ time.
Guyana Jaguars who are the reigning four-day defending champions – a feat achieved under the sharp leadership of skipper Leon Johnson – will begin their title defence without a number of their key players who have ascended to the international level.
The likes of Shimrom Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo and Keemo Paul have all been retained in the West Indies test team to face Bangladesh while the absence of Raymon Reifer who has been drafted into the West Indies side as a replacement for Jason Holder will no doubt leave a chink in the Jaguars’ armoury.
The rise of Sherfane Rutherford and Chandrapaul Hemraj to top-level international cricket – who both made a mark during Jaguars’ championship run last season – is also likely to wear the fabric of Guyana’s squad. Both men are expected to be involved in the limited-overs leg of the Bangladesh series.
The defending champions may also have to contend with the retreat of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who is quietly making his way off the radar.
While the elevation of those players is a demonstration that Guyana has landed a working formula, the real depth of the national set up will be tested with a lot riding on the players coming in to fill the void.
It is within that context that Stabroek Sports reached out the chairman of selectors, Rayon Griffith for him to share his thoughts on how the team will forge ahead in light of the foreseeable changes.
“Guyana is producing a number of players who can play at the highest level, something we weren’t able to do for a number of years,” Griffith explained as he maintained optimism.
He added: “but of late as you’ve seen we’ve been getting six or seven players who are now on the selectors’ [West Indies] radar, and we could be missing those players.
“But, we definitely have enough quality players to fill that gap, and that is why the academy set up is so important,” he further explained while noting his satisfaction in the graduation of the players which gives others the opportunity to move back or onto the first-class scene.
Truth be told, Hetmyer and Bishoo’s absence is perhaps not as daunting as the others since the two have been regular features in the West Indies’ itinerary which more times than not, clashes with the Regional Four-day Championship.
In contrast, the absence of Reifer, Paul, Rutherford, and Hemraj will be duly felt. However, these transitions now present opportunities for others as Griffith pointed out. As such, many well-known names will be on a collision course for spots in the team.
In pondering on the combinations and replacements, the likes of Christopher Barnwell, Rajendra Chandrika, and Trevon Griffith should be the ones in line for recalls while up and coming Tevin Imlach and Ronaldo Ali Mohammed could also feature. Young batting sensation Kevlon Anderson could also be in line for a call-up.
Possible squad: Rajendra Chandrika/Trevon Griffith, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson (capt), Vishaul Singh, Christopher Barnwell, Akshaya Persaud/Tevin Imlach/Kevlon Anderson (for two places), Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Moti/ Anthony Adams, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Ronaldo Ali – Mohammed/ Clinton Pestano.
