Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
National cricketers must be fit before joining camp – Manager Johnson
By Zaheer Mohamed
Once regarded a power house in West Indies cricket, Guyana below par performances in senior regional tournaments for a number of years left much to be desired with the exception of 2012 when the team made to the semifinals in the 4-day competition and the final in the 2013 Caribbean Twenty\20. Guyana’s last success at the higher level came in 2005 when they won the 50-over competition. This year the country finished 5th in the 4-day with 18 points and 6th in the Super 50 with 8 points; this is highly unacceptable for a country which has produced many international stars.
Alvin Johnson
Guyana’s batting was inconsistent throughout the season. The fact that they only managed to pass the three hundred mark once during the tournament bears witness; only Leon Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored centuries. Manager of the Guyana team, Alvin Johnson, recently told Kaieteur Sport that the lack of application from the batsmen was a major factor for the team’s poor showing.
He said that there are number of talented players in the team and they could have given a better account of themselves. Johnson stated that Leon Johnson did well but could have done better and Assad Fudadin was a little tentative earlier in the tournament but showed improvement later.
He said the preparation was good despite the team did not get the use of the national stadium. “The fact that we did not get to practice at the stadium was a setback, but I cannot lay the blame on that. The players could have done better. The batsmen lacked confidence, mental toughness and they did not apply themselves. I think our batsmen have a problem against spin bowling and that was evident throughout the competition and I would not blame the pitches,” added Johnson.
He said that some of the players were not fully fit.
“Players should be fit before they join the camp. We have to ensure that the players are fit enough and when they are not we have to make certain they reached a level that is acceptable and by the time they are ready for the competition they are either burned out or injured, that is why it is important for them to always maintain a certain level of fitness and not wait for camps, a physiotherapist should work along with team as well,” he stated.
Johnson said the Guyana Cricket Board should meet with the players and let them know that they are not only representing themselves but the entire country. “It’s time the board let the players know that enough training is being done to get them match ready and their performance is unacceptable,” Johnson said.
Coach of the team, Esau Crandon, in an invited comment said that the Batsmen must put a price on their wicket. “They were not concentrating hard enough and gave their wickets away. Some of them failed to carry on after getting starts,” he said.
Crandon also stated that the bowling was inconsistent at times. “We managed to restrict teams below 250 on many occasions but the bowlers were unable to maintain a consistent line and length throughout the matches, they did well for the first and second sessions but fell away after,” he informed.
Assad Fudadin
He was impressed with Ronsford beaton. “Beaton is one for the future, he has pace, variation and control. It was hard for him to play in both version (4 day and 50 over) in his first season at this level but he did well”, added Crandon.
He also feels that the players should place more emphasis on fitness.
Meanwhile Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith stated that Guyana does have talent but the players should not wait for the board to prepare them. “The players ought to get themselves prepared in advance so when they join camp they should be match ready. The other territories are ahead of Guyana, our players are trying but they can do better,” he informed.
Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie informed that the administrative issues at the board did not contribute to the team’s performance. He stated that the same executive was there when the team reached the final of the Caribbean Twenty\20 and the members of the executive are doing their best in the circumstances to make sure the team is well prepared. He spoke of the 2012 U-19 competition where Guyana played unbeaten but lost the title due to fast bowling bonus points.
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