CONGRATULATIONS RANSFORD BEATON

Sep 10, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Since time immemorial, we Essequibians have traditionally been the perennial whipping boys of cricket, and quite rightly so have always received a plethora of chastisement for our lackluster and deplorable performances from both the print and electronic media. However, having said that, it is my considered opinion that we have never been treated fairly by the administrators of the Guyana Cricket Board and its cohorts, even though our accomplishments have been sparse and remote. And it should be noted here that my grouse hinges specifically with players whom I thought merited selection to represent the national team but were inexplicably and unjustifiably tossed into oblivion.
I vividly remember even senior and popular sports journalist, Sean Devers, whom I have always deemed as an ardent critic of Essequibo’s cricket, lament the non-selection of Clain Williams when he thoroughly deserved to represent the Guyana under-19 team after his prolific season in both the inter-county and trial matches. If I recollect well, he scored a century in one of the trial matches played. Another, was Laxhmikant Narine, who scored heavily in a few trial matches leading up to the regional tournament, but only after he made a serious claim for a spot on the team that it dawned upon the selectors that he was over age. Another was Lawrence Farnum, whilst on the verge of making the under-19 team it was alleged that lies were fabricated against him which subsequently denied his selection. I can enumerate a little more, but I think that the indiscretions are well known and documented.
However, the purpose of this letter is to express felicitations to my compatriot, Ransford Beaton. I have tried to get former Essequibo player, Elroy Stephney and former sports journalist and Essequibo player, Ravendra Madholall, to pen an article about this young man, but to no avail.
Though I have never seen him play, I understand that Ransford bowls with express pace for an under-19 player. From hearsay and literature, I understand that the first year that he bowled for Guyana, he was easily the fastest bowler on display. And, I figure because of this, he was catapulted into the senior team in the last regional tournament where he played a number of matches. He was subsequently selected for the West Indies under-19 team that played against the Australian under-19 team in Abu Dhabi where they were successful, beating the Australians 2-1. And, in one of the results which I saw Ransord bowled frugally and pick up wickets as well. Hence, this triumph propelled the revered West Indies and senior commentator, Tony Coizer to reminisce about the last time any West Indies team defeated the Australians. Ransford then went on to represent West Indies under-19 yet again against the United States of America’s under-19s.
Nevertheless, upon his return from the United States of America, he was selected to represent and captain the Guyana under-19 team in the just concluded tournament here in Guyana. The only Essequibian thus far if my memory serves me well, to accomplish such commendable feat. And, from news published by the West Indies cricket board recently, he has been selected to represent the West Indies yet again in the quadrangular tournament scheduled to be played in India shortly. As an Essequibian, I am proud of Ransford’s accomplishments and undeniably his continuous ascendency. I want to exhort him to remain disciplined and consistent and if he does, he might very well be the first Essequibian player who actually resides in and plays for Essequibo, to represent the West Indies senior team. Full credit must also be given to coach Harper and the Guyana selectors for their foresight and proactiveness. I think that the time has come for us to stop looking at teams and players with insularity and select based upon merit, moreso since the decisions that are made at this level will certainly have an impact on West Indies’ future.
RAUL KHAN

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