What’s current with Clinton Pestano? I am disappointed with scores and the performances of Hemraj, Hetmyer, Bramble, Motie, and Shepherd recorded in the first six matches of CWI 50 Overs matches. I also rooted for Hetmyer to record a double century. At least, a score beyond 150 against the Windward Islands in the semifinals, would be satisfactory . I expected a total beyond 365 runs against the Windward Islands.
I think a total beyond 365 runs Lewis, Simmons, Pooran, Pollard, and Bravo and the other Trinidad cricketers would be hard-pressed to overhaul against the bowling of Hemraj, Permaul, Motie, Sinclair and Shepherd in 50 overs.
I am rooting for Hemraj, Hetmyer, Bramble, Motie, Permaul, Sinclair and Shepherd to be the architects in defeating this super Trinidad cricket team. Ever so often weaker teams manage to win games against much stronger teams. Who will ever forget Kapil Dev led India to at least two wins against the mighty all conquering Clive Lloyd led West Indies teams in Albion in Berbice and to the surprise of the majority of the cricket world on the greatest stage in the 1983 ICC WORLD CUP FINALS. That has to be worse than the 5-1 trashing West Indies received from the hands of Thomson, Lillee, and the Chappell brothers and the other Australians during 1975-1976.
A fighting total of six runs or less per over may not suffice against this outstanding assortment of ball beaters. 365-377 runs ought be the aim. Cricket is still a game of glorious uncertainties. It’s still see the ball hit the ball to above and beyond the boundaries. And all it takes is ten wicket taking deliveries or restricting the opposition to a lower scoring rate to win the match. This Mande hopes Hemraj, Hetmyer, Bramble, Permaul, Motie, Sinclair and Shepherd will give Roger Harper and the other CWI selectors no wiggle room to exclude them from the squad to compete against Sri Lanka.
I emphasis it’s past due for transparency to be the hallmark of the selection process. The selectors must establish and publish a dept chart of batsmen, opening batsmen, fastbowlers, spinners, wicket-keepers, all-rounders and captains, in all genres of cricket. I must add I was surprised. The refusal to select Permaul in test teams is most perplexing. Guyanese government and people, especially Berbice, ought demand explanations. The contributions of three past their prime cricketers – Barnwell, Johnson and Joseph – were lightening in a bottle. Regardless of those mirages, the selectors erred when they neglected to select Anderson and other younger players over Barnwell, Fudadin, Johnson, Joseph and Griffith. And I also love for Berbice teams to participate in CWI competitions. Berbice Cricket Board has done a fine job during the Beharry – Foster administration. The next step is enfranchisement of Berbice Cricket Board within the CWI. Demerara and Essequibo cricket boards need to wake up to the reality the Guyana Cricket Board has not shown any desire to move cricket forward in Guyana. Otherwise, Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo would be franchises in at least the CPL T20 competition. Therefore, I am advocating the cricket boards of Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo approach every avenue to improve and enfranchise cricket in their geography. Anything and everything less is insufficient. I love for this PPP government to improve cricket facilities throughout Guyana. This PPP government must encourage and assist Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo cricket boards by sponsoring competitions and seeking infusion of foreign capital as per franchises in the three counties as participants in West Indies tournaments. Never again must cricket officials be forced to hand over their personal property as collateral when seeking to advance cricket as has been the experience of Mortimer George and Lennox Phillips during the tenure of Miss Shirley Field-Ridley. I can’t imagine a more putrid account in the history of cricket in Berbice. I say never again. I call on the PPP government to honor Mortimer George and Lennox Phillips and to ensure such an episode is never manifested. M’Lilwana Osanku previously expressed these observations on Facebook on February 27, 2021
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