HP Cricket Centre opens May 4 in Barbados

Apr 14, 2010 Sports

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Johnson, Gajanand Singh rejected, Griffith, Permaul on short-list

 

By Sean Devers

Four Guyanese cricketers were recommended for the West Indies Cricket Academy but only two of them have progressed past the initial interview stage as the Sagicor High Performance Centre at the UWI Cave Hill Campus gears up for its May 4 opening in Barbados.

While the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has not made an official release on the Guyanese players recommended, it is known that West Indies under-19 Opener Trevon Griffith along with Gajanand Singh, Leon Johnson and Veerasammy Permaul were recommended.

All four players have represented the West Indies at under-19 level while Griffith, who turns 19 this year, is the only one without First-Class experience.

Fifteen players will form the first class of the Academy and players will enroll in a two-year Programme involving three months residence each year.

Each of the six territorial Boards (Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands and Jamaica) were asked to recommend not more than 4 players from which it is understood, a three-man panel will select the final 15.

A West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) source in Barbados told Kaieteur News on Monday that UWI Cave Hill Campus Professor and WICB Director Hilary Beckles wanted the Combined Colleges and Campuses to be treated as a Regional team but this was not accepted by the WICB.

The source also informed that it is expected that the Academy team will eventually replace the CCC which is viewed by many as a Barbados 2nd X1.

It is understood that Johnson and Singh have not gained entry while Permaul and Griffith, who attended an interview in Barbados last week should be among the 15 chosen. A GCB official yesterday confirmed that the 4 players named were recommended by Guyana and that Johnson and Singh were rejected.

It was disclosed that the regional Boards had up to March 31 to submit recommendations and that the decision on the final intake was made last Saturday.

Chairman of the Guyana senior selection panel Claude Raphael said he played no part in the selection of the four players. He added that he was informed by a letter from the GCB of the players chosen. He said he was not aware of the criteria used.

Many assumed that academic qualification would be among the criteria for admission to such an Academy but according to a source close to Academy this was not a major factor.

Vishaul Singh and Steven Jacobs are among the most academically qualified Guyanese first-class cricketers. Neither made the final list of Guyana’s recommended players.

It is believed that Vishaul Singh’s omission from the list was mainly due to ‘fitness’ reasons after suffering from a back injury earlier this year.

GCB Video Analyst Robin Singh said yesterday that Vishaul Singh and Steven Jacobs were the two alternates named in addition to the four recommended. He added that Rajendra Chandrika was also considered. Robin Singh who is working assiduously to try and put programmes in place to improve the standard of local players, explained that it was felt that at this point in his career Chandrika might not make full use of being exposed to a foreign Coaching staff in unfamiliar conditions as the others who were recommended.

“Nominees must preferably be between ages 19-23 and the Criteria for selection includes; Completion and passing the WICB fitness tests and those recommended must have represented one of the territorial teams at regional age-group or senior levels,” an official informed Kaieteur Sport.

It was revealed that the player must produce personal statistical records, an excellent disciplinary record, Possession of the requisite 10 player traits, demonstrated desire to develop and improve, Can assign the requisite authorization to the WICDC of his/her image rights and has a demonstrated competence in his/her preferred skill set.

The rejection of Johnson, who is fit, is within the age requirement, represented the West Indies in ODIs last year and was a student at the University of Guyana, has raised a few eye brows, especially since he was not even invited for an interview.

The objectives of Academy programme are to prepare potential West Indian players for elite level competition; to establish a pool of highly trained players that are available for selection to the senior West Indies team and to establish a training and preparation ethos among future West Indies players and it is believed that former West Indies player and Coach Guyanese Roger Harper is the front runner among four contenders for the job of head Coach.

The WICB official said the aims of the Academy Programme are:

1. To enable the 19-23 age-group of West Indian players to develop in a systematic and structured way, using cutting edge techniques and strategies;

2. To allow developing West Indian players an opportunity to develop their talent;

3. To expose developing players to an international training and coaching environment implemented through a two-year programme.

It was explained that applicants chosen to attend last week’s interview had to submit a short recommendation from the coach of the last regional team for which they played and if available, Video evidence of the applicant in action.

Robin Singh confirmed that Video footage of all for players was sent along with their application despite the late request by WICB’s Tony Howard for the recommendation of Guyana’s four players.

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