Latest update February 13th, 2025 8:56 AM
Latest News
- Despite not paying taxes, Exxon boss says profit sharing and royalty is same as giving Guyana tax
- ExxonMobil makes application for 8th oil project
- After Putin call, Trump says negotiations to end Ukraine war will start ‘immediately’
- Guyana captured by corrupt business and political elites
- First ever mammogram machine commissioned at Linden Hospital
Guyana U-19s banking on pace
Begin TCL campaign today against Leeward Islands
Seon Daniels
Keon Joseph
Andre Stoll
By Sean Devers
Guyana begin their 2009 TCL Regional Under-19 Three-day cricket campaign against the Leeward Islands from today in Jamaica, hunting their 12th title since regional youth cricket began in 1968.
No team has more regional three-day titles than Guyana at this level and their six consecutive titles from 1992 is a record.
After winning back-to back championships under Steven Jacobs’ captaincy in 2006 and 2007, the South Americans had to settle for the runner-up spot to hosts Barbados last year and although the adverse weather has affected their turf preparation, Guyana, with eight players back from last year’s tournament, are ready for battle.
Powered by a four-prong pace attack, Guyana’s bowling strength has shifted from spin and in Keon Joseph and Ronsford Beaton the Guyanese have two genuine fast bowlers, while left-arm swing bowler Andre Stoll and Seon Daniels should be among the top pacers in the competition.
All four of the Guyana pacers are eligible for next year’s competition and they should enjoy pitches with more bounce than the docile ones in their homeland.
Back-of-the-hand left arm spinner Totaram Bishun and left-arm orthodox Antony Adams are the specialists spinners, while the leg-spin of the versatile Jonathon Foo and the off-spin of vice-captain Royston Alkins will complement what could be a three-prong pace attack today.
Foo is potentially the most dangerous of the Guyanese batsmen if he remains focused, while Seon Hetmyer is arguably the most accomplished.
Trevon Griffith and Jeetendra Sookdeo both played last year and will hope to give Guyana a solid foundation against a new ball attack, which could be led by the hostile Kelbert Walters.
Alkins, Herrell Greene, captain, Anthony Bramble and all-rounder Stoll are all capable of big scores at this level on an Up Park Camp pitch, which should offer some early life.
Greene, Beaton and Adams could be on the bench today and it is important that the batsmen step up in what should be steaming hot conditions if Guyana are the repeat last year’s first round success against the Leewards.
Last year when Guyana won by five wickets at the Kensington Oval, Chesney Hughes scored 102 of the 172 made by the Islanders in their first innings.
Led by half-centuries from Sookdeo and Bramble, Guyana took a six-run first innings lead before dismissing the Leewards for 139 in their second innings. A magnificent 77 from Sookdeo then spurred the Guyanese to 134-5.
The competition was last played in Jamaica in 2004, when the hosts won and the selection of a West Indies team for next year’s Under-19 World Cup in Kenya should prove an added incentive.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
An Open Letter to the election observer missions
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-Later this year, you will arrive in Guyana as protectors of the integrity of our democracy.... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
