Death of Paul Persaud’s mom badly affected his Career

Mar 06, 2016 Sports

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U-19 record holder back home for first time in 15 years

By Sean Devers
During the mid-80s and 1990’s Paul Durant Persaud was a household name in Guyana’s cricket and is the only Guyanese with 1,000 runs (1,033) in Under-19 cricket.  It was no surprise when he made his First-Class debut

against the Leewards in 1991 on his home ground Bourda.
Persaud grew up in Kitty before leaving for the United States of America in 2000 where he has lived since then. This is his first trip home in 15 years.
His First-Class career was off to an attractive start before he was run out for 36. The accomplished left-hander, who played 17 First-Class matches between 1991 and 1995, made one century and three fifties.
He has scored more runs at youth level than Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Shiv Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson.
During his four-year and 23-match Regional under-19 career after making his debut at home in 1987, the former Guyana youth team Captain dominated at the U-19 level despite never managing a three-figure score for Guyana at the youth level.
Playing for the West Indies in three ‘Youth Tests’ in 1990 against Australia he scored his maiden youth century in the first innings at Sabina Park in Jamaica before following it up with a delightful 66 in the second innings.
In the second ‘Test’ in Barbados Persaud made 41 and shared in a half-century stand with former Test opener Sherwin Campbell before getting 46 in the final ‘Test’ on his home ground Bourda against an attack which included leg-spinner Shane Warne.
But the same year of his First-Class debut, his mother, whom he cherished, died sending the talented youngster into Clinical depression which he did not recovered fully from for years after the death of his mother.
Persaud played his last first-class season in 1995 when he scored 340 runs at an average of 40 after making his only hundred, a magnificent 110 against Jamaica at Blairmount in West Bank Berbice.
Coupled with his fragile mental state, a serious back injury sustained playing in the English Leagues, Persaud suffered a nervous breakdown and was sidelined for 14 months.
By late 1996, Persaud had regained his health, his form and his confidence, if not his fitness. The long period of inactivity had caused him to put on some weight.
Persaud was on the come-back trail and after scoring his first division one double century for GCC and a successful 1996 season, he was again invited to Guyana trials.
He was overlooked by the Guyana selectors and went off to play for Clarke Road in Trinidad. But after another outstanding local season in 1997, the GCC opener was again not selected.
“I have qualified to play for Trinidad & Tobago since I have lived there for more than three months there. I have been invited to the T&T trials and I feel if I make runs there I will stand a great chance of getting into the Trinidad side,” Persaud said back then.
He had made close to 400 runs in 1997 and was hurt by the way he was being treated by the Guyana selectors and informed then GCB President Chetram Singh that he was no longer available for Guyana.
After making 27 and 64 in the T&T’s trails he was not selected for their team and played a few games in New York but the stress of those disappointments caused a relapse in his depression. He flew to the USA 15 years ago and has not returned to his homeland until now.
His depression got so bad that he had no interest in doing anything or going anywhere. He started gaining a lot of weight and kept himself out of sight.
“When Chanderpaul who made the team a year after I did, came to visit me in New York I would hide from him because I did want him to see me like that,” Paul recounted.
“I am now fully recovered and I don’t have any stress in my head now. I went for a walk in the (National) Park and the only disappointing thing is that nobody knew who I was. I have been to the Gardens and everything is different from when I was last here. There is a lot of development but the cost of living is too high for people who live here,” the former Guyana batsman said.
The 44-year-old Persaud who has been working with a Delivery Service in the US for the past seven years has not picked up a bat in 15 years but remains involved in cricket by Umpiring in softball games on weekends.
“It was because of Peter (his elder brother who also played at youth level for Guyana) that I got interested in cricket. I wanted to play for my country like him. He never once mentioned that I was sick to anybody. He always said I was ok and I respect and love him for that,” Persaud informed.
“My brother-in-Law Siddiq Khan, my sister Susan Persaud-Khan, my dad Debabadin and my aunt Indrani Ali, who lives here have all been very supportive during my illness, while Uncle KD Persaud would call from Canada and encourage me for hours when I was really down,” Persaud disclosed.
“My mom was a Hindu, but I have given my life to Jesus and I know that he is alive. I used to have all sorts of weird things inside my head. But now I intend to enjoy the rest of my stay here. Peter will take me to Splashmins and other places and I am enjoying my stay here,” Persaud said.
A match was organsied by GCC on Thursday to honour him and former Test players Chanderpaul and Reon King along with former England ODI batsman Monty Lynch were among those who participated.
Persaud, who is an American Citizen, departs Guyana next Saturday.

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