Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
South Africa is a definite motivator says Sarwan
Skipper satisfied with preparations
By Sean Devers
In 2006 Ramnaresh Sarwan was the Captain when Guyana became the first ever regional 20/20 cricket champions in Antigua when they beat Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the Stanford 20/20 tournament.
The win not only assisted in forging unity to a nation in its elections year but also turned the Guyana players, Manager and Coach into instant millionaires and provided US$200,000 for the Guyana Cricket Board.
Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan (right) and members of the Guyana team relax during a hectic practice session at the Stadium yesterday.
Now, four years later, after losing in the semi-finals to Jamaica in the last regional 20/20 tournament in 2008, Guyana is preparing for its 3rd regional 20/20 tournament; the Caribbean 20/20 in Barbados and Trinidad from Thursday and Sarwan, again the Skipper, is pleased with the preparations.
The elegant West Indies right-hander, one of only two Guyanese with 100 runs (Travis Dowlin is the other) in regional 20/20 cricket, said he is satisfied with preparations despite the adverse weather in Guyana. “We got in two practice matches and match simulation sessions despite the rain. The Guys are all eager to get into action in Barbados and I am satisfied with our work so far,” Sarwan said after the team’s match simulation exercise at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.
The team also practiced at Guyana’s only indoor facility at LBI and Sarwan disclosed that the players have all said that the indoor nets is good for practice and thinks it will go a long way in assisting National teams prepare for regional competitions in a country with as much rain as Guyana.
The former West Indies Captain said his team’s strength is the batting as usual but added that there are a few experienced bowlers in the line-up which give Guyana a very competitive side.
Without leading Test batsman Shiv Chanderpaul who opted to miss the Regional 20/20 tournament to play for his team in the English County championships, Guyana face the Windward Islands at Kensington Oval from 16:00hrs on Friday in their opening game and Sarwan thinks this could be their toughest preliminary round game.
“My only concern is that the conditions we have been preparing in is different from what we will encounter in Barbados…the pitches will be harder and faster….but I know we will adjust and hope to get a nice long practice session in Barbados before our first game,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan said that the Windwards, while not being able to dominate regional cricket at First-Class or even 50-overs level, the side is well suited for the game’s shortest format with the likes of Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher at the top of the order and Darren Sammy in the middle.
‘We are taking each game at a time and our first focus is to reach the semi-finals in Trinidad. Anyone can win a 20/20 match on any given day and I think team unity and understanding our roles will be important factors in this competition,” Sarwan explained.
Sarwan said he wanted his players to focus on the regional 20/20 matches and not think too far ahead to the Club Champions League in South Africa in September, he said that South Africa could be used as a motivator to win the Caribbean title.
“I have told the guys of the importance of winning the Caribbean title since if we win we will be going to represent the West Indies in South Africa. Everybody knows that will be a great opportunity to get exposure on the World stage and I hope this could help to inspire especially the younger players to produce outstanding performances and motivate everyone to play as a team. I have used the example of Kieron (Pollard) of what winning this competition and going to South Africa can do for them as individuals,” Sarwan added.
While the prospects of qualifying for South Africa should provide motivation for the Guyana players, Sarwan explained that this is not the only motivation since he emphasized that winning for your country is also very important.
The team broke camp yesterday evening and the Demerara based players in the team will practice today at the indoor facility before the squad, Managed by Carl Moore and Coached by former Guyana batsman Ravindra Seeram, depart for Barbados on Wednesday morning.
After their opening match against the Windwards, Guyana play CCC at Kensington Oval and Barbados in their first match in the Trinidad leg of the tournament before the semis are played on July 30 and the final on July 31 at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad.
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