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Leon Johnson, a captain with distinction set to bid farewell
Kaieteur News – Guyana’s most illustrious and successful first-class captain Leon Johnson is set to say goodbye to his cricketing career simultaneously at the conclusion of this year’s edition at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Leon Johnson
The final match will be between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
So far in the 2023 campaign, the 35-year-old Johnson has led Eagles to two victories, while the other encounter was drawn. They are gleefully topping the points’ chart (49).
Eagles will also be on home soil against Jamaica Scorpions commencing today at the abovementioned facility before the surreal moment comes for a true ambassador of Guyana.
Prior to the commencement of the third-round, the elegant left-handed Johnson announced his retirement. It might amaze a large spectrum of the adorable cricketing fraternity in his native land and by extension across the Caribbean, but Johnson feels the time has come to end this unforgettable chapter.
In 2004, also in familiar conditions as a diminutive 16-year-old, Johnson walked out at Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara to begin this fascinating and captivating career.
After 17 years, he will be leaving the scene with distinction to captain Guyana to five consecutive titles, an unprecedented accomplishment ranging from 2015-2019.
Statistically, other traditional countries at the regional tournaments have done it but Johnson proved his excellent and responsible stewardship churning out wins after wins, titles after titles. Thanks Rayon, a name that sandwiched between Leon and Johnson.
You have made the cricket-mad nation extremely proud!
Leon Johnson playing for West Indies A team. (BCCI)
Johnson is a product of an eminent sports club in Guyana, the Georgetown Cricket Club. It all started there as a youth. He represented Guyana in regional under-15 tournament. He subsequently went on to play at the under-19 level as well. He captained West Indies Under-19 at an event of magnitude, the World Cup limited-over competition. Everything during those fundamental days were imperative for Johnson becoming a successful captain. He did it!
Guyana reigned historically because of Johnson’s tactical captaincy. He overshadowed the success of Sir Clive Lloyd and Roger Harper, two other Guyanese leaders to win regional four-day tournaments two times each, but Johnson was unparalleled, it might be unbroken for a long, long time.
One hundred twenty-five first-class matches also speak volume that he is a radiant and natural talent. Nine tests for West Indies also manifested his batting ability along with six one-day internationals fulfilled his immense promise.
When he took over the captaincy from one of Guyana’s greats, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, in 2014, needless to say Johnson was inspired and by 2023, he epitomized the real quality as a captain as Guyana Harpy Eagles eyeing another title.
Please, he should emulate the award of 2019 when he was bestowed with the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement. Two tosses to go Leon Rayon Johnson.
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