In the franchise cricket system, players are often moved from team to team. The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is no different and in the Guyana Amazon Warriors well over 50 players have represented the Franchise.
Veerasammy Permaul is the only player to feature in every season since the inaugural tournament in 2013.
The 30-year-old left-arm spinner has played in 56 matches, making him one of six players to play for one Franchise in over 50 matches.
Throughout his years, he has taken 37 wickets at an economy rate of 6.8 to add to his 102 strike rate with the bat.
Stabroek Sport’s Romario Samaroo (RS) had a chat with Permaul (VP) as he embarked on his seventh season with the Warriors.
VP: “I think it is a privilege for me being in the team for seven years straight. It has always been a very great experience being with the Amazon Warriors. I think one of the most consistent teams in CPL history and I’m looking forward to being a part of the success again.”
RS: How does it feel to go to four finals and not win a title?
VP: “It is heart breaking! I think we are one of the most consistent teams in the CPL, the bad thing is we made the final but haven’t crossed the line and hopefully this year it could be a turn around and we cross the line.”
RS: “What is it like to share a dressing room with these spectacular players?”
VP: “It is a great experience, every year you get to share with new players, players from all over the world come and they bring their ideas and views and you get to learn a lot from them.”
RS: What do the Amazon Warriors have to do to win the title this year?
VP: “I think we have been doing all the right things and the basic things to reach the final but it is just that a little bit more effort in our batting and bowling, a bit more focus in our fielding and I think that would help us cross the line this time.”
RS:”What do you look forward to in the CPL?
VP: “I think the support from the Guyanese people. I think they always come out and support the team. That’s one thing not only me but the entire team always look forward to. It is a real boost to have 15,000 people coming out and supporting you and it gives you that extra motivation to go out and excel.”
RS: How does this set up promote development?
VP: “I think it is a great opportunity for a youngster to come in and learn from experienced players. The likes of Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford have been from the starting as a youth player and you could see how they emerge from then to now. I think that was one thing that helped them and I would say it was easy for them to come in and fit in the set up and you could see they are reaping the benefits now.”
RS: “What have you learnt from this experience?”
VP: “I think experience is one of the most important things for me because playing the cricket a long time now, I think where my game is at, I think I know what I have to do in certain situations and it is one thing that has helped me in my career so far.”
RS:”How has this helped you develop your game?”
VP: “I think I’ve been playing cricket a while now and like every cricketer, every day is a new opportunity and a new day to learn so I’m still learning and trying to learn as much as possible, I think no one is big enough to know it all and every day is a learning day.”
