Dindyal a shoo-in for Guyana U17

Mavindra Dindyal has consistently produced runs at all levels.
Mavindra Dindyal has consistently produced runs at all levels.

West Indies under-16 batsman, Mavindra Dindyal has staked his claim for a spot in the Guyana U17 team after finishing as the leading run getter in the recently concluded Guyana Cricket Board U17 Inter-County tournament.

The talented 14-year-old, from Diamond Housing Scheme, showed he is a level above the rest when he turned out for the National Select U15s and smashed the lone century of the tournament, 103 against Essequibo at Enmore Community Centre on Monday while managing three runs against Berbice and a responsible 67 against eventual champions, Demerara at Everest Cricket Club on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

Dindyal, who represents Georgetown Cricket Club at the second division and U19 levels rewarded the faith cricket enthusiasts had in him after a shaky run in the Demerara U15 Inter-Association tournament.

The Diamond Secondary School student fell for single figures in only one of the three matches but stroked 41 against East Coast Demerara and 46 against tournament winners, Georgetown.

The utility player supported himself in the field after taking up the mantle of wicketkeeper as well as off-spinner and duly took a handful of wickets.

At the Inter-County stage of the GCB’s most junior tournament, Dindyal finished unbeaten on 22 against Essequibo chasing a sub-par total while scoring 41 against President’s XI and 37 not out against Berbice to see his side lift the title.

From there, he represented East Bank in the Demerara U17 Inter-Association, scoring 59 against West Demerara but only

managed four runs in the other two innings.

Nevertheless, the proactive fielder has caught the attention of almost every cricket fan in the country and has become one of the most recognizable figures in the youth cricket.

The usually laid back cricketer told Stabroek Sport that it has always been a dream for him to play for the West Indies senior side and he has been working extensively on achieving that goal.

The young man, who departed Guyana with the U15 team to Antigua where they will play in the Cricket West Indies Regional U15 tournament from today added that this is a step in the right direction.

He went on to say that while he was happy with his personal achievements, it is his team that he puts first and will focus on representing his country with pride at the U15 Regional tournament where he smashed 98 last year in the final to see Guyana finishing second.