Guyana hunt first ‘home’ win against Barbados in 27 years

Feb 25, 2011 Sports

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Gajanand Singh, Christopher Barnwell included

By Sean Devers
Guyana has not beaten Barbados in a Regional four-day game on home soil since their nine-wicket win at Bourda 27 years ago and their only other victories since then against the Bajans were at Kensington Oval in 1998 when they won the last of their six Regional First-Class titles and 2005.
The two teams square-off from today at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence in the fourth round of the Regional Four-Day cricket tournament both desperate for points with just three games to play after this one.
With draws after losing first innings points against Trinidad and Tobago, England Lions and defending champs Jamaica, Barbados with 20 titles since sponsored Regional four-day cricket began in 1966, have nine points as they aim for their 12th outright win against Guyana since 1990.
Guyana lost to hosts Jamaica after taking first innings points, had their second match against the Leewards washed out at Bourda without a ball being bowled and lost by four wickets to the Windwards in St Vincent to enter this round only ahead of the Leewards (3 points) with seven points.
Jamaica, England Lions and CCC lead the points table with 24 points while T&T has 21 and the Windwards 19 and defeat for either team here could effectively end their semi-final hopes.
Barbados hold the record (five from 1976-80) for most consecutive titles, but have not won a title since 2007. Without Kirk Edwards, who has been called up for the World Cup, a lot will depend on Skipper Ryan Hinds, teenager Kraigg Braithwaite, Kevin Stoute, Shamarh Brooks and Dale Richards to give them a big score on what should be a slow track due to the recent rain in Guyana.
While Edwards, Hinds and Braithwaite have all scored centuries this season, the Barbados bowling has struggled to dismiss the opposition twice although teenager Jason Holder has a five-wicket haul.
The omission of World Cup standby Tino Best and injured Pedro Collins and the unavailability of World Cup bowlers Suleiman Benn and Kemar Roach leaves the Bajan attack depleted although pacer Fidel Edwards is genuinely quick and leg-spinner Ryan Lane joined the squad which arrived in Guyana on Tuesday.
Guyana has won 11 and lost 24 of the 64 First-Class matches against Barbados and their batting continues to be a major worry even as the bowlers were impressive in both of their matches played this season.
Rajendra Chandrika is the only Guyanese with 100 runs this season (107) while Shemroy Barrington (65), Leon Johnson (51), Royston Crandon (52), Vishaul Singh (58) and Skipper Assad Fudadin (38) have been major disappointments in a line-up missing Test players Shiv Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan (World Cup), Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon (injured) and Travis Dowlin (not selected).
Pacer Brendon Bess had his maiden five-wicket haul against Jamaica in the first match while Esuan Crandon who suffered a side strain in the last game and was not considered for this game, also bowled well.
Opener Barrington loses his place in the side with former West Indies under-19 left-hander Gajanand Singh replacing him. It is understood that Fudadin could open with Chandrika.
Albion spinners Davendra Bishoo (11 wickets) and Veerasammy Permaul (8) are Guyana’s leading wicket takers and could be the biggest threat for the Bajans, who beat Guyana by 58 runs at Albion last year when the teams last met at this level.
Scattered thunderstorms is forecast for this weekend but Providence is arguable the fastest drying cricket ground in the region and the outfield should not be a concern even if it rained last night.
When Guyana last beat Barbados in Guyana in 1984, Andy Jackman scored a century and off-spinners Clyde Butts and Roger Harper shared eight wickets in each innings.
Bishoo and Permaul are again expected to cause spin concerns for the visitors but for Guyana to win someone has to step up with a big score in a team in which only Royston Crandon (against Barbados) and wicketkeeper Derwin Christian have registered a three-figure score at this level.
Fudadin who has lost both of his games as Skipper, expects a better showing on home soil and blamed the middle order batting for his team’s demise in Jamaica and St Vincent.
“We have had some good starts while the lower order is showing good fight. Our problem is the middle order…we are losing too many quick wickets from loose shots….I don’t think we are batting badly its just we have to work harder mentally. Partnerships in the middle are important if we want to post a big total and we have not been able to get proper partnerships going after the openers depart,” Fudadin said.
The West Indies ‘A’ team left-hander praised his bowlers for consistently good performances and says the batsmen know they have to deliver in this game if the team is to stay in the title race.
“Bishoo and Permaul should be our key in home conditions while I am hoping for a big score here. I don’t think the captaincy has anything to do with me not getting runs in our first two matches and I am enjoying the job so far and working hard for a win for our fans,” the former Guyana youth team Captain explained.
Admission is free and the umpires are Jamaican Norman Malcolm & Guyanese Nigel Duguid with play scheduled to commence at 10:00hrs each day.
Squads: Guyana:- Assad Fudadin (Captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Leon Johnson, Royston Crandon, Vishaul Singh, Gajanand Singh, Steven Jacobs, Derwin Christian, Chris Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Davendra Bishoo, Brendon Bess, Ronsford Beaton.
Barbados:- Ryan Hinds (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Pedro Collins, Shane Dowrich, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Jason Holder, Kyle Hope, Ryan Layne, Dale Richards, Kevin Stoute.

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