Cush making his mark as 20/20 specialist

Jul 28, 2010 Sports

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– another hat-trick for veteran all-rounder

By Sean Devers in Trinidad

In Association with Digicel

At age 35, many in Guyana had written off Lennox Joseph Cush as an aging warrior who was over the hill, especially since his right knee, which went under the surgeon’s knife twice, was expected to struggle with the hectic demands of 20/20 cricket.

But the former middle distance athlete, who participated in the Hampton Games in Trinidad as a teenager, continues to defy the odds and is now regarded as a 20/20 specialist who is a key member for his native Guyana and his adopted country the United States of America (USA).

Coming through the regional under-19 ranks for Guyana as a top order batsman who bowled some off-spin, the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) player, good enough to score 2 First-Class centuries and 2 fifties from 38 games and 2 half-centuries in List ‘A’ One-Day cricket, Cush is picked for his ‘tight’ off-spin more than anything else these days.

In and out of the Guyana team since making his First-Class debut in 1996 and his Regional One-Day debut 2 years later, Cush, who resides in the USA but is in Guyana ever so often to oversee his business, has retired from First-Class cricket and although he still plays the 50-over format for the USA, is no longer interested in the 50-overs game in the Caribbean.

Cush has had his distractions and did not represent Georgetown in the Digicel National 20/20 competition which was used to help pick the Guyana team for the Caribbean 20/20 championships.   The experienced right-hander played for West Demerara side New Line Cavaliers in that competition after last year representing the USA instead of Guyana in a 20/20 competition at the Guyana National Stadium.

Cush’s biggest moment in cricket came in 2006 when he took a hat-trick against Jamaica to help Guyana win the inaugural regional 20/20 Stanford cricket tournament and the US$1Million first prize. The individual prize money changed the lives of the 14 Guyana team members four years ago and Cush says the chance Guyana qualifying for the Champions League tournament in South Africa in September, if they can win the Caribbean Championships, could provide even more national glory and personal gratification.

The only bowler to ever take a regional 20/20 hat-trick, Cush, who has taken 20 wickets from 12 T/20 games, showed that his 2006 performance was no fluke as he took three wickets off three consecutive deliveries in the final over against CCC in Guyana’s last match in Barbados to end with 4-30.

As Guyana, already in the semi-finals, begin their final preliminary round match against Barbados on Thursday at the Queens Park Oval here in Trinidad, Cush is the leading wicket taker in the competition with 8 wickets for 55 runs from 8 overs and his role opening the bowling before returning to bowl the final over of the innings, is believed to be critical to Guyana winning this competition and advancing to South Africa.

While he is not as fit as he used to be when he first played senior cricket for Guyana 14 years ago, Cush knows the value of hard work and staying focused on the job.

Although he has never played for the West Indies, Cush was in the Stanford Super Stars X1 which beat England for US$20 Million in Antigua last year and is the consummate professional.

When the lights go out and the players leave the ground, many don’t know the pain that Cush endures because of his knees and many youths would do well to emulate the veteran all-rounder who also plays professional cricket in Trinidad and New York in addition to his work as a successful young businessman.

Cush has made more money from cricket than most players who have played for the West Indies since the Regional team played their first Test against England in 1928 and his crowning glory would be to showcase his talent on the World Stage in the Champions League in South Africa and who knows…maybe an IPL contract.

For that to happen Guyana has to win and Cush says team cricket instead of exceptional individual talent is required to take Guyana to South Africa and is confident that the Guyana unit can reach Saturday’s Caribbean Championships final and win.

“We have a good bunch of players here and in addition to the experienced players like myself, Travis (Dowlin) and Sars (Ramnaresh Sarwan) we have a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters including (Jonathon) Foo, who at 19 has a wonderful future ahead of him once he can remain focused,” Cush said.

Cush feels his batting ability is not being utilized enough after he opened the batting for Guyana in previous 20/20 tournaments and has a 49 at this level but he is quick to add that the balance of the team is more important than any one player.

“Yeah I would have liked to bat higher than 9 but in this team we are all working as a team and for each other because while we all want to get to show what we can do in South Africa everyone knows that the only way we can do that is by getting their as a team. South Africa is a big motivator which in a way is good for Guyana’s cricket because it will force the players to give their all every time,” Cush added.

Cush said he is pleased with his success and feels if Guyana can win this competition it could start a turn around in Guyana’s cricket which is at an all time low both on and off the field.

“If we get to South Africa it would do so much not only for the guys but for the country. I remember how everyone was united and on a high when we won the Stanford 20/20 and when we got home we were like heroes. It was around elections time and everyone was so proud of being Guyanese,” Cush remembered.

You can’t stop the old dog, he is so experienced and his bowling is very important in the first six power-play overs. “Our bowling in not as strong as in previous years and we are depending on him (Cush) at the start and end of the innings,” explained Skipper Sarwan.

Dowlin, Guyana most successful 20/20 batsman said that while Cush might not be able to race around the field like a 16-year-old, his value to the team is immense.

“Yeah we know he could be a bit slow in the field but we are hoping that we can put him somewhere where he does not have to do too much running and that he can give us four top overs. And don’t forget that he can bat and hit the ball also and since he has opened before he also gives us options with our batting line-up. I would say he (Cush) is one of the most important players in this entire competition,” Dowlin said.

Manager Carl Moore, who was also the Manager in 2006, told Kaieteur Sport that Cush value is not only limited to the field.

“If you know Cush you will know how experienced he is and his job is to also help out the younger guys and keep them focused. He is 35 but he fits into this team very well and can be just as mischievous (laughs) as the youngsters. Cush is a team player and a very nice person to have on tour,” Moore disclosed.

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Pauline London threatens to ‘buss up’ Debbie Tyson’s mouth

The sixth edition of the ProAm boxing extravaganza is scheduled to get underway this Friday and from all indications promises to be an exciting event. The boxers convened at the NCN Studios yesterday afternoon for pre-fight chat and predictions and did not disappoint.

Pauline London is scheduled to match gloves with Debbie Tyson and literally spewed vitriol when asked of her plans for the fight. “I gon cuff she in she mouth and buss it up,” she pronounced in her unorthodox jargon.

“She’s a talk up boxer so I will not even listen to her threats,” responded Tyson. I need the big fishes right now but while I wait for them I will take the ‘cacabellies’ when they come,” Tyson retorted.

The two exchanged harsh word for sometime before Tyson ventured to describe her training regiment.

“I have been training very hard in the gym and have worked myself into great shape,” she revealed.

Tyson further explained that she had decided to take a hiatus from the ring after her fight against Sharon Ward because she felt disappointed and frustrated after the loss.

“I was observing the action from the outside and when I saw what the other girls were doing I just knew I had to reenter the fray to claim my pound of flesh,” said Tyson. “I am one hundred and ten percent certain that I will win this fight,” she proclaimed.

All this time London listened and when Tyson had had her say she repeated her threats even getting bold enough to shove her folded fist under Tyson’s nose. The latter fighter for her part shrugged off the affront promising to display her aggression in the ring.

Edmond DeCleau is scheduled to fight Troy Lewis in a super/middleweight encounter. A resident of Linden, DeCleau is currently honing his skills at the Young Lions Boxing Gym, Wismar.

He would mostly be remembered for his epic trilogy with Kwesi Jones and more particularly, the second encounter.

DeCleau simply bamboozled Jones with deceptive moves, lightening hand speed and amazing resilience to win that encounter. He lost the third fight but it was apparent that he had shelved the disciplined application of the second bout and lost. This time around, the rangy Lindener has concentrated on his training and is in the best shape of his life.

This should be an ominous sign for Lewis who has recently returned after serving out a one month ban for indiscipline behaviour.

The stocky fighter has since promised to win the bout in convincing manner. “I am far more crafty than DeCleau; come Friday night I will prove it,” was all that Lewis was willing to say. The other boxers were absent from the occasion but have assured the fans that they would be present to keep their ring engagement.

In the other two bouts Mark Austin will face Shawn Pyle in a lightweight encounter while Anthony Augustin squares off with Kurt Best in a highly anticipated heavyweight encounter.

The boxers convene for the weigh in ceremony at the Water Chris Hotel, Waterloo Street, on Thursday night. The price of admission is $500 while those unable to attend the show can tune in to NCN 11 for live action from 20:00hrs.

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