Latest update March 22nd, 2025 6:44 AM
Latest News
- “Guyana will not be intimidated, coerced” – President Ali tells Maduro
- PNCR maintains it will engage experts on ring-fencing only when in office – Elson Low
- Israel threatens annexation after expanding ground offensive in Gaza
- 𝐆𝐂𝐂𝐈 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 w𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭
- Teen killed in accident after pulling steering wheel during row with boyfriend
Cush hopes to cash in on Stanford series
Lennox Cush
Who would have thought Sir Allen Stanford’s philanthropy would be so contagious?
While the billionaire businessman pumps $20m of his vast fortune into the coffers of West Indies and English cricket, one of his Caribbean ‘Superstars’ is planning on doing the same, albeit on a far smaller scale, in his native Guyana.
Georgetown-born Lennox Cush is a cricketing journeyman, whose career has brought him a relatively modest financial reward. But he now has the prospect of $1m (£628,300) landing in his lap for only three hours’ work.
He is one of four uncapped West Indians in the Stanford Superstars squad vying for selection against England in cricket’s richest one-off contest, in Antigua tomorrow.
While some players might ponder how to blow $1m by thumbing through luxury car brochures and imagining themselves in designer clothes, Cush has his feet firmly planted on the ground.
“I come from a poor background and cricket has made a life for me. I want to give back something from where I came from, it’s important to me,” he told BBC Sport.
“I also want to ensure my family, my wife and two children, are looked after as well as invest in my business too.” Cush moved to the United States 10 years ago and recently became an American citizen.
He divides his time between the Caribbean and New York, where he plays for the Atlantis Cricket Club in the Eastern American Cricket Association, as well as representing the US in limited-overs internationals.
Off the field, Cush is a realtor – that is estate agent for UK readers – with his own business, for whom Sir Allen’s million-dollar opportunity could not have come at a better time, thanks to the mortgage crisis in the US.
However, Cush views that as “something to fall back on” at the end of his career and insisted: “It’s cricket that remains my number one priority.”
The all-rounder has been a revelation with the ball during the Stanford 20/20 for Guyana over the past two years, and remains the only bowler to have taken a hat-trick in the competition – against Jamaica in the semi-finals in February this year.
His consistent performances saw him finish second only to fellow spinner Dave Mohammed in the overall wicket statistics, with eight dismissals in three matches, figures that earned him a place in the coveted Superstars 15-man squad.
“The call-up wasn’t really a surprise, I did well in the regional Twenty20 tournament so I guess you could say I was expecting it,” he said.
“I played for Guyana and it was fun for me. I opened the batting and the bowling with a bit of off-spin. I was the most economical bowler and I’m very glad I have been called up into the squad.”
Having spent six years playing club cricket in England, Cush is familiar with the most of the names in Kevin Pietersen’s squad. And there is one England player he is particularly looking forward to reacquainting himself with.
“I played against Andrew Flintoff for the West Indies Under-19s against England Under-19s in 1995 at home,” he revealed.
“He was not as strong then as he is now – he is excellent now. He is probably the most dangerous England player. I know everyone has their attention on Mr Pietersen but I think Freddie is the man.
“England have a good team, I know all about Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and Steve Harmison; these guys can win the game for England but if we play well as a team, as a cohesive unit, then we can beat anyone.”
It is the money on offer in Antigua that has captured the world’s attention but Cush says winning the game is uppermost in the minds of his team-mates.
“You can’t get the money without doing the job – and that is exactly what we are doing right now,” he stated. “We are focused on the task, which is to beat England.
Our six-week training camp went really well, so the mood is good. “All the bowlers are going well and I think Chris Gayle is at his peak right now, I think he is up for it – as are all of us.” (BBC)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Following one’s conscience rather than the crowd
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect... more
Weekend Cartoon
