‘Play for yourself and country’ – GCB President tells National female cricketers

Aug 07, 2011 Sports

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By Sean Devers
In what he said should be his last public speech as Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President, Chetram Singh yesterday morning told the members of the National female team to play for themselves and their country at a farewell breakfast hosted by the GCB at the Windjammer Hotel in Kitty.

At a function at which only Singh and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Terry Holder of the GCB executives were present, Singh reminded the girls that Guyana has never won a regional female title and that a victory in Barbados could help to heal the gaping wound that all the controversy the power-struggle, allegations of corruption and court battles have inflected on Guyana’s cricket image.
“You are ambassadors for your country and while I think you are in a tough zone with Grenada, T&T and Jamaica, I am confident that you can do well and make all Guyana proud. At a time when people cannot help but to notice all the negativity surrounding Guyana’s cricket, a win from you could help in a big way in reviving hope in Guyana’s cricket despite all this seemingly never-ending problems,” Singh said.
The High Court is expected to make a decision tomorrow on the injunction against the recently elected GCB which was filed by Berbice Board Executive Angela Haniff. The Court has ruled that the incumbent GCB Executive will control the affairs of Guyana’s cricket until they make a further ruling and Singh, the GCB President since 1991, told the girls ensure they give Guyana a ‘good name’ both on and off the field.
“Even if you lose but give of your best Guyana will be proud of you. Be very careful in what you take to Barbados or bring back for people and check the contests of any package or mail before to agree to bring or take something for someone since if you are caught with anything illegal not only your name but Guyana’s image and the cricket Board’s will be tarnished,” Singh told the ladies.
Singh, a Director on the WICB said he was opposed to the structure of this year’s competition which is divided into two zones and a team has to play three matches before the semi-finals and finals.
“I think the format is too short. Even if you win the tournament you will only play five matches. Take this opportunity since Pakistan female team will tour the West Indies next month and I hope that at least five of you can be on that team. Some of you have already played for the West Indies and I hope that the newer players can step up and make their mark at this level….If you win I can promise you good things when you return home,” Singh said.
Guyana, with four debutants in their side, face Grenada in their opening match on Monday before facing T&T at Kensington Oval the next day. The South American lasses then oppose Jamaica on August 11 in their final preliminary round game.
The team is a strong bowling unit with four (Sabrena Munroe, Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbell) of the five West Indies players in the side being bowlers.
The 18-year-old Campbell is the Captain and should be one of the leading batters in the competition, while the other West Indies player, Opener June Ogle-Thomas is expected to carry the bulk of the batting.
“Our bowling is our strength but once June and Shemaine bat to their potential and the others like Victoria (Bacchus), Oneka (Wallerson) and teenage Berbcie all-rounder Trishanie Cort chip in, we should do well. The experienced Abina Parker will also be expected to hold the middle order together. I am very satisfied with our two-week encampment in which we did a lot of things including Yoga and Aerobics,” Coach Latchman Yadram said.
Yadram said he is hoping to see an improvement in the fielding and informed that three practice games were played against the GYO youth team.
Munroe, Giddings and Smartt give Guyana arguably the best fast bowling attack, while both Cort and Wallerson can bowl useful medium pace.
The spin attack is also strong with 38-year-old Prudence Williams and left-arm spinners Nikita Toney and Joann Vansertima all equipped with previous regional senior team experience.
At 39, former Skipper Parker is the oldest member of the side while the baby of the team is 13-year-old Berbice off-spinner Phaffiana Millington who is a real exciting prospect and one of the better under-15 off-spinners in Guyana among both males and females. Debutant Akaze Thompson is also an energetic all-rounder.
The Guyana team: Shemaine Campbell (Captain), June Ogle-Thomas (V/Capt.), Tremayne Smartt, Sabrena Munroe, Victoria Bacchus Oneka Wallerson, Abina Parker, Joann Vansertima, Erva Giddings, Prudence Williams, Akaze Thompson, Nakita Toney, Trishanie Cort, Phaffiana Millington, Carl Nurse (Manager), Latchman Yadram (Coach)

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