Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Johnson returns from injury, Deonarine still unfit

Feb 16, 2011 Sports

Guyana team depart for St Vincent

By Sean Devers
Twenty-three year-old Leon Johnson who was replaced in the Guyana squad by former West Indies youth player Gajanand Singh for the washed out second round match at Bourda due to a finger injury is back in the side for Guyana’s next match in St Vincent.
The left-handed Johnson, who has played three ODIs and scored six fifties in 21 First-Class games, looked solid in the opening game in Jamaica but failed in both innings to build on good starts (22& 23). The former West Indies under-19 Skipper showed little sign of his finger injury during practice sessions at the indoor facility in Guyana.
Test left-hander Narsingh Deonarine who was replaced in the side by Vishaul Singh due to an elbow injury days before the team departed for their first match is still not fully recovered.
Guyana, who lost to Jamaica after taking first innings points at Alpart, had to settle for three points after heavy rain left Bourda waterlogged for most of the four days in their rain ruined affair against the Leeward Islands and Johnson coming in for Gajanand Singh is the only change to the Mark Harper Coached squad that left for St Vincent yesterday.
Guyana, who last won a Regional First Class title in 1998, will face the Windward Islands at Arnos Vale from Friday as they hope to improve on their 5th place position on the points table below defending champions Jamaica, England Lions, Trinidad and Tobago (18 points) and CCC on 12.
The Windwards are also on 7 points while the Leewards occupy the cellar position with 3 points.
Although Marlon Samuels stroked a magnificent unbeaten 250, no other batsman from either side reached 50 in the opening round in Jamaica when Guyana’s batting let them down on the final day as they slumped from 77-0 to 193 in two sessions and a 165-run loss.
Johnson, who batted for close to two hours in the first innings and an hour and 17 minutes in the second in Jamaica, said he was timing the ball well and spent a lot of time at the crease without converting 20s into a big score.
Johnson was taken at short leg off leg-spinner Odean Browne in the first innings and seemed a bit unlucky to be lbw to Tamar Lambert’s off-spin in the second and knows that a lot is expected of him this season.
Johnson played two games in 2004 when he made his debut as a 16-year-old but had to wait four years for another chance at First-Class level.
He averaged over 40 in the 2008 season when he scored close to 500 runs and earned a West Indies ODI call-up and responded with 51 in Canada before losing form and confidence and his place in the Guyana side last year.
“I am more mature now and have been working really hard on my batting and fitness and with so many opportunities now available I intend to put my best foot forward and get some big scores this season starting with this weekend in St Vincent,” Johnson said.
Without Test players Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shiv Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Deonarine and Travis Dowlin, Guyana’s batting hopes rests on the young guns and Johnson is expected to lead the fight with the bat for the South Americans. Royston Crandon is the only player with International experience in the Guyana side.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Dec 23, 2024

(Cricinfo) – After a T20I series that went to the decider, the first of three ODIs between India and West Indies was a thoroughly one-sided fare. The hosts dominated from start to finish...
Read More
GBA confirms additional bouts

GBA confirms additional bouts

Dec 23, 2024

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Dec 23, 2024

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be signature year-end event

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be...

Dec 23, 2024

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football Tournament kicks off Boxing Night

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football...

Dec 23, 2024

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s College ahead of today’s final

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s...

Dec 22, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]