Emphasis on developing fast bowlers

Aug 18, 2011 Sports

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GCA’s Queensway 50-over Cup starts today

By Sean Devers
The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has once again collaborated with the Queensway business establishment as they aspire to arrest the decline in Guyana’s cricket by providing quality competition for the City’s premier cricketers.
The Queensway Cup 50-overs competition was yesterday officially launched and the first match in the 13-team competition, which also includes four second division teams, is scheduled for today at Everest with GCC facing the home team from 09:30hrs.
Vice-President of the GCA, former Guyana player Neil Barry disclosed that last year Queensway sponsored the second division competition under the Haier brand, while adding that this year the sponsor has decided to go even bigger to incorporate first division teams.

Barry explained that the competition will be played on a knock-out basis while each second division team will be allowed two guest players in their 16-man squad.
“Power-plays and free hits will also be in place while the emphasis is on developing fast bowlers. We have put conditions in the regulations to mandate that at least 40% of the overs, or 20 overs in a full 50-over game is bowled by fast bowlers,” Barry revealed.
Managing Director of Queensway Mohamed Qualander told the gathering which including representatives of the teams, the Umpires and the Media that Queensway, which has its main branch in Water Street, is a family business which has been in existence for 25 years and now has three branches.
“We are the distributors of Haier products and last year sponsored the second division competition under that brand. However, we sell several other brands of products and decided to use the Queensway tag for this competition,” Qualander said.
The businessman who grew up in West Demerara and watched a lot of club cricket with his father there said while most companies sponsor competitions for the publicity their business get, his main objective is to provide an avenue for the players to showcase their talent as they aim to gain selection on the Guyana and West Indies teams.
“Last year we had great feed back from the players who seemed motivated by the prizes available and apart from doing this to promote our business I am also someone who follows cricket and want to help since the game is not what is used to be in days gone by,” Qualander added.
He said that reviving Guyana’s cricket is not a one-man or one-party show and said it is imperative that everyone, especially the players and administrators work together and stop all the controversy which is badly affecting the cricket both on and off the field.
“We also have a problem with fast bowlers which was the strength of the West Indies team when we dominated the world. I fully share the GCA’s vision in trying to focus on fast bowling talent and I have put up a special prize for the best fast bowler in the competition. There is also a prize for the best bowler but the one for the fast bowler is different and the aim is to inspire great performances from the pacers. A TV, Carpet, cricket gear and finance form the fast bowler’s prize,” Qualander explained.
Qualander said cricket is a part of the fabric of this nation and an important aspect of Guyana’s identity.
“Cricket produced great memories for me and I am delighted to be a part of this competition. We had great coverage last year and we expect the Media to do even better this year as they not only give the Company coverage but the players who do well,” the businessman said. He added that a prize is also at stake for the journalist with the best coverage of the competition.
GCA President and former West Indies Vice-Captain Roger Harper said eight centuries and 17 five-wicket hauls were achieved last year, while several players forced their way into their club’s first division team from their performances in the Haier Cup second division tournament.
The former Off-spinner said the focus is once again on the players with the several attractive prizes up for grabs, including $120,000 for the winner and $80,000 for the runner up.
“A Man-of-the-Preliminary round will be named while both semi-finals will have Man-of-the-Match awards in addition to prizes for the best batsman, best bowler, best wicket keeper and best fast bowler.
We can have clinics and net sessions but the only way we can really develop our fast bowlers is to have them bowling in matches. We have put things in place in the regulations to force teams to use their fast bowlers instead of having them bowl two or three overs and then turn to spin for the rest of the innings,” Harper, a former West Indies senior team Coach, said.
“We want the players to play with purpose, passion and in the true spirit of the game. One of the challenges of the competition is the unavailability of cricket grounds due to non-cricket activities. This is very disappointing and does not assist in the development of our cricketers,” Harper disclosed.
Coolers and Mugs were presented to each team for use during water breaks, while Shirts to be used by the Umpires were handed over to the President of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Grantley Culbard. Media workers present yesterday also collected a lap top bag and a Queensway polo shirt.
Qualander handed over the beautiful championship trophy to Harper, while GCA Secretary Deborah Mc Nichol collected the sponsorship cheque from Queensway’s representative Rupert Jones.
The other first round matches will be played on Saturday with Vikings facing Police at Police, Third Class taking on Malteenoes at DCC and University of Guyana battling Transport Sport Club at UG.
A date for the final first round match between GDF and GYO will be known shortly since the GDF ground is unavailable on Saturday. The four first round winners will face each other in the second round on Sunday.

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