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Guyana’s chances of its maiden U-17 title are good
By Zaheer Mohamed
While Guyana has been one of the most decorated teams in regional age group cricket, the country is yet to win a competition at the U17 level. But their chances of success in this year’s tournament, which will be played in Tobago later this month, are excellent.
Bhaskar Yadram
This year marks the 5th year since the U17 competition began, and the closest Guyana came to winning the top prize was in 2014 when a victory in their last game against the Leeward Islands would have given them success, but they were relegated to fourth position after losing the match by 18 runs.
In 2015, despite losing their first two games against Windwards and Jamaica, the Guyanese also finished fourth with victories in their final three matches.
However, Guyana’s success for the past two years at the U15 level makes them strong favourites for the title this year since those players have graduated to the U17 stage. Need not to say that the previous U17 players will now look for another U19 title, and there is no reason why they can’t with such a talented crop of players available.
The inter county U17 tournament has given the players much needed preparation and also the selectors a firsthand look at their players so that they can come up with the best possible team. This year however, the selectors led by Nazimul Drepaul will have their toughest task of putting together a winning combination due the vast number of talented players in the pool.
The Guyana Cricket Board has included the U17 team in their inter county U19 tournament, and has no doubt served in the best interest of the players. Bhaskar Yadram who got a century against Berbice in the U19 inter county contest should be named as the captain. He not only has the ability to get the best out the players, but he can provide a formidable platform at the top of the order. Yadram has played with maturity that belied his age for Enterprise CC senior team as an opening batsman on the East Coast of Demerara.
His partner should be another such talent player in GNIC SC batsman Joshua Persaud who played for the West Indies U15 in England last year. Persaud has the ability to rotate the strike and keep his wicket intact especially in pressure situation. With these two at the top Guyana can expect a decent start in every game. Sachin Singh who has been named as captain of the U15 team is another capable opener.
Joshua Persaud
With the likes of Alphius Bookie, Javed Karim, Kurt Lovell, Kevin Sinclair and Steve Deonarine, the middle order seems rock solid.
Spinners Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Umroa are likely to lead the spin bowling department while West Indies U15 pacer Colin Barlow should be a sure pick. Leg spinner Tameshwar Motieram showed immense promise during the inter county tournaments and should easily land a place in the starting eleven, so too is Essequibo pacer Reyaz Khan. Khan is the fastest U17 bowler locally and his place in the team should be assured. Other players that should be included are Reon Venture and impressive left arm spinner Joel Fortune.
The squad probable; Bhaskar Yadram (C), Joshua Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Alphius Bookie, Steve Deonarine, Javed Karim, Kevin Umroa, Joshua Jones, Colin Barlow, Joel Fortune, Reyaz Khan and Reon Venture.
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