Latest update June 3rd, 2026 12:40 AM
All-rounder Hercules relishes come back after lengthy absence
By Zaheer Mohamed
Essequibo All-rounder Ryan Hercules is relishing his come back after a lengthy absence from the cricket. The all-rounder made a return to the game during the recently concluded Mohamed’s Memorial 40-over tournament, playing for Parika Salem SC on the East Bank of Essequibo. He was voted man of the match in the final after scoring a fighting 52 against Tuschen South Star.
Ryan Hercules in action
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport recently at the Parika Salem ground, Hercules who plies his trade mostly with clubs in England and Australia informed that his absence from the game for one and a half year was due to personal reasons. He added that he is now looking forward to the upcoming Essequibo Cricket Board Busta festival and stated that one of his aims is to play county cricket in the United Kingdom, a feat he feels he can achieve in the near future.
“I am confident that I can play first class cricket, success comes after hard work and I as long as I remain committed there is no reason why I can’t,” he said.
The 28-year old Hercules explained that he wants to help the youths at his club here adding that Kevon Boodie and Kemol Savory are among the players he has worked with. “One of the main reasons I play overseas regularly is to gain experience so I can help the players at home,” he posited.
Hercules represented Barnsley in the Yorkshire league alongside Gary Ballance and also played with Berwick CC in Melbourne, Australia together with Brad Hodge. He explained that he has gained a wealth of experience playing in different countries. “I learn to play on different pitches and this has helped me to improve a lot. I had to be at the top of my game through out the season to be a regular member of the starting eleven because the competition for places in the teams is high.”
Hercules who represented Guyana U15 in 2003 and U19 in 2005-06, pointed out that the pitches in the West Indies are very much different from those in England and Australia. “The pitches here are underprepared and as a result they are slow and that makes batting and bowling more difficult,” he stated, making reference to Barnsley CC where he said has 13 ground staff.
According to the all-rounder, the overseas players are involved in cricket on a more regular basis than those in the Caribbean. “England has lots of indoor facilities so cricket is being played there even during the off-season so the players are always fit and ready to national duty.”
Hercules believes that the local cricketers must be encouraged to play more at home regularly so the competition will be of a higher standard. He said that a league is needed in Guyana where players can be paid a decent wage. “Players should be paid base on their performances and this will help them to improve. They should work for their income and not be given money just like that; it encourages you to perform and brings out the best in players,” he related.
He added that Guyana has lots of talented cricketers but feels they do not play enough cricket as compared to those in England where a player would have at least 45 games under his belt for a season.
When quizzed about his future in Guyana’s cricket, Hercules who also played for Esmeraldo CC in Trinidad and Tobago said he still wants to play for his county Essequibo and Guyana and also hopes to play in the Caribbean Premier League.
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