Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Seeram resigns as Demerara selector, Lovell walks out of meeting
E’bo President disassociates himself from Garraway’s omission
By Sean Devers
In a rare public showing of dissatisfaction with his board members, President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) Alvin Johnson yesterday informed the media that he was disassociating himself with the composition of the Essequibo team for the Pepsi/Carib 20/20 Inter-County cricket tournament and in particular the exclusion of national fast bowler Trevon Garraway.
With the campaigning for the January 26 GCB elections apparently already in full swing, the cricket seem to be suffering in all three counties as most administrators attempt to stamp their authority and influence as the heated race for the GCB Presidency heats up.
Former West Indies ‘B’ team batsman Rabindranuth Seeram told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that he has resigned as a Demerara selector, while former national medium pacer Roderick Lovell informed that he walked out of the selection meeting on Wednesday in disgust of what was transpiring.
Seeram and Lovell, both former Guyana First-Class cricketers, lamented that their decisions to withdraw from the selection process of the county’s 20/20 team was due to the level of insularity displayed by those involved in the process.
West Demerara wicketkeeper Maxwell Fraser has suddenly leap-frogged national Keeper Derwin Christian, former Guyana 20/20 stumper Tyrell Tull, ex-Guyana keeper Delbert Jacobs and Demerara keeper Joseph Perry to the position of Demerara senior ‘keeper in a 14-man squad announced yesterday afternoon.
Defending champions Demerara face Berbice in the opening game at Blairmont tomorrow and according to an e-mail sent by the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) the new Acting chairman of the selection panel is Pretipaul Jaigobin, who has no cricketing background.
Meanwhile, Johnson, also a Vice-President on the GCB, explained that when the Essequibo team was sent to him he questioned the omission of Garraway who only this month represented Guyana at the regional one-day level and the inclusion of Geewan Singh who left the Essequibo team’s preparations.
Johnson said that he was told that the selectors picked the team from the Essequibo zone of the Gafoor’s 20/20 competition and that Garraway, a former Essequibo Captain, did not participate in that competition.
Johnson said he was also told that Singh got permission from the manager to leave the team without the knowledge of Johnson.
“I could have used by executive position and my casting vote after the selectors could not come to a unanimous decision on Garraway’s selection but I decided to keep out of the selectors business even though I felt an injustice was being done to Garraway. I will handle the matter at an administrative level but I want to let the public know that I am disassociating myself from the selection of the Essequibo 20/20 team,” Johnson, a headmaster by profession, informed.
Essequibo will be led by opener Norman Fredricks while Latchman Rohit will serve as his deputy.
Omitted from the squad are national pacer Trevon Garraway, opener Denish Joseph, wicketkeeper batsman Wayne Osborne and left arm spinners Robert Moore and Andrew Wong.
As the date for the GCB elections draws closer more sparks are expected to fly. It is hoped that those who aspire to attain the top position in Guyana’s cricket do so with the genuine commitment of trying to develop and sustain the game locally with the assistance of those former and present cricketers who have given blood, sweet and tears on the cricket field of battle for Guyana.
The Demerara team: Travis Dowlin (Captain), Zaheer Mohamed (V/Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Rajendra Chandrika, Gajanand Singh, Troy Gonsalves, Krishna Deosarran, Shemroy Barrington, Steven Jacobs, Ravi Sarwan, Sauid Drepaul, Kelon Carmichael, Deon Ferrier, Maxwell Fraser.
Standbys: Tyrell Tull, Orin Forde, Surajpaul Deosarran, Amit Jairam, Travis Blyden.
Essequibo team-: Norman Fredricks (capt.) Latchman Rohit (v.capt.) Ravi Beharry, Laxmikant Narine, Navishaul Pooran, Trevor Benn, Ryan Hercules, Wayne Holder, Floyd Henry, Gewan Singh, Andrew Williams, Kevin Gordon, Rensford, Beaton and Roopnarine Persaud, Forbes Daniels (coach) Moses Ramnarine (manager).
Alvin Johnson
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