Rayon Griffith, selectors must aim to nurture guyanese for selection in West Indies teams.

Rayon Griffith and the other selectors must omitt Barnwell, Beaton, Chanderpaul, Foo, Griffith, Johnson, Joseph, and Lewis, from the Guyana squad for the Regional Super50 February 2-27, 2020 in Antigua and Barbuda.

 The window of opportunity for Barnwell, Beaton, Chanderpaul, Foo, Griffith, Johnson, Joseph, and Lewis to be considered for selection in West Indies teams is firmly closed. .

 Barnwell, Beaton, Chanderpaul, Foo, Griffith, Johnson, Joseph, and Lewis had their auditions and cups of coffee. 

Therefore, selection of Barnwell, Beaton, Chanderpaul, Foo, Griffith, Johnson, Joseph, and Lewis in Guyana teams are exhibitions of no vision, and negative vibrations. Obviously, the selectors must remove those road blocks. The selectors must send positive energy and frequencies to young current and future Guyanese cricketers. Perez, Anderson, Nedd, Hemraj, Bramble, Motie, Rutherford, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Smith, Joshua Jones, Anthony Adams, Ricardo Adams, Sampson, Savory, Kelvin Omroa, Alimohamed, and Pestano must be given every opportunity to develop and to showcase their skillset for consideration to included in West Indies teams beginning with Pakistan tour of West Indies in July 2021. 

Finally, the absence of numerous internationals, Permaul, probably will be another cup of coffee in Bangladesh, in February 2021. Shepherd is the other "Show Guyanese" on that tour. 

The reality is clear. Only two Guyanese numbered among twenty seven West Indians in two fifteen man squads chosen by West Indies selectors, scheduled to tour Bangladesh, January 10- February 15, 2021. The evidence is clear, from Kanhai, Butcher, Solomon, Gibbs, and Madray in the West Indies tour of India and Pakistan in 1958 to Fredericks, Kallicharran, Lloyd and Croft in Spring 1977, with the highest point being Kanhai, Butcher, Fredericks, Lloyd, Gibbs, and Camacho in Australia during Winter 1968-69 to this pathetic number representing Guyana in 2021. The Guyanese selectors have not demonstrated the vision necessary for nurturing Guyanese cricketers to occupy several places in West Indies teams. 

This Mande would prefer Guyana nurture 17-22 years old cricketers. Kanhai was about 21 years old; Butcher was about 22 old; Lloyd was around 20 years old; Fredericks was some 21 years old; and Gibbs was about 20 years old; when they made their debuts for British Guiana. 

Kallicharran was about 18 years old; and Croft was about 20 years old; when they made their debuts for Guyana in 1967 and 1972, respectively, This Mande refuse to conclude the selectors 1954-1972 could identify future dominant internationals and the recent past and current selectors are incapable of foresight necessary to return West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of world cricket. If Guyana chose youth development and fail to any regional competition but have four to six members regularly making dominant performances contributing to winning West Indies cricket teams, triumphing over the cricketing world, 2022-2023 and beyond, the selectors would done an awesome job. 

The window of opportunity for Bramble, Hemraj, Motie and Pestano to be included in West Indies teams is closing. Bramble, Hemraj, Motie and Pestano need to make their cases for selection against Pakistan in July 2021 in this ODI competition. 

The squad ought to be from and/,or similarly young cricketers; Perez, Anderson, Nedd, Hemraj, Bramble, Motie, Rutherford, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Smith, Joshua Jones, Anthony Adams, Ricardo Adams, Sampson, Savory, Kelvin Omroa, Alimohamed, and Pestano. Hemraj is younger than Bramble. Therefore, he should be groomed as the captain, Hemraj is likely to represent Guyana a few more years than Bramble. Of course, this choice is conditional. Hemraj and Pestano are said to have health concerns. Hetmyer and Paul refused to tour Bangladesh. Therefore, they should not be considered for selection until the touring teams return and the members are available to the respective franchises. Love for Hetmyer to begin producing consistently. This Mande root for Hetmyer to be in the same pew with Headley, Worrell, Weekes, Walcott, Sobers, Kanhai, Lloyd, Fredericks, Kallicharran, Rowe, Richards and Lara. This Mande also root for Hetmyer to be the next long-term captain of winning West Indies cricket. Therefore, if Hetmyer is available, when the squads return from Bangladesh, he must be the Guyana captain. 

 

Desperate Times Abysmal Cricket

“Flee from hate, deceit and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts. 

Put your vision to reality”

Robert Nesta Marley, Wake Up And Live

Here wishing Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, speedy and total recovery from their physical issues. I trust Shimron Hetmyer will not suffer mental anguish and scars. Numerous batsmen never recover after being struck on their face and head. Batsmanship is really exhibited above the shoulders. Shimron Hetmyer could benefit from accounts of great West Indian batsmen rising regularly after being struck on the face and head. Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards are perfect examples of batsmen who stood firm after receiving very painful blows on their heads and in their faces. 

Nothing but the best for Hetmyer and Paul, going forward. 

Administration

Have you access the survey at CWI website? Have you read the Wehby Report? The survey wouldn't accept Africa as place of origin. Hence, that ended this Mande's efforts to participate, therein. 

It's clear the current administration is handcuffed by lack of access to capital - Rothschild males money supply. Although Cricket West Indies is a private company, it must seek subsidies and input from regional governments as well as other avenues, including US advertising and mass media etc.

What the CWI could offer the governments and peoples of the Caribbean in return for subsidies remain unclear. Of course, losing international cricket is unacceptable. Caribbean governments must step up their efforts to improve infrastructure, facilities, coaching, equipment and sponsoring competitions in various genres of the game at various levels in their respective territories. CWI must reduce its staff. Abolish every selection panel. The coaches must choose the squads. CWI must also replace the managers with the head coach. Coaches must earn the renumeration they receive. Coaches must be equipped with computers to monitor and improve performances - and to make recommendations respecting selection of squads and teams. 

What are the qualities of dismissals achieved by bowlers in various situations and locations? 

How does batsmen perform against particular bowlers in various situations and locations in various genres of the game?

Skerritt and Shallow immediately removed U19 regionals from Guyana. CWI held the tournament in St. Vincent. CWI should have given the U19 regionals to Berbice. That would have shown this CWI was about positive energy and vibrations. Berbice cricket Board has been very aggressive in promoting a revival of cricket in that country. The affiliated boards of the areholders of CWI must be given much wider roles and voices in the decision making process and voting in CWI. 

It's also clear. There's no light in the tunnel. A few mirages, here and there, such as winning the U19 and T20 internationals in 2016, were impressive. Stakeholders and fans believed winning cricket was on the horizon. 

Clive Lloyd began employing three and four man extreme fast bowling attacks in Summer 1976. However, since1995, no strategy has produced winning cricket.  

Spinners are not major weapons in West Indies cricket in internationals. In 92 years of test matches, only four spinners, Ramadhin, Valentine, Sobers and Gibbs are impressive and iconic. But however, spinners have dominated the regional 4-days' matches. Permaul is the major wickets taker in recent years. He has not been adequately rewarded. Since the 1880s, when Africans were introduced into West Indies cricket there has been a preponderance of outstanding fast bowlers. Float Woods, Tommie Burns, George John, Archie Cumberbatch, George Francis, Herman Griffith, Learie Constantine, Leslie Hylton, and Manny Martindale, are iconic quicks, 1900-1950.

At Manchester, in 1939, Learie Constantine, Leslie Hylton, Manny Martindale and Floffie Williams became the original fast bowling foursome in West Indies internationals.  

West indies cricket rose during the peek years of Ramadhin and Valentine, 1950-1957 and

Gilchrist, Hall, Griffith, 1957-1968, 

West Indies cricket fell after the decline of those outstanding bowlers. Please note, Gilchrist was banned from internationals. In summer 1973, after a period of six years without a winning a series, West Indies cricket rose again in England during the caretaker period of Rohan Kanhai. Boyce, Gibbs and Sobers were leading bowlers. Fredericks, Kallicharran, Kanhai, Lloyd, Sobers, Julien and Murray acquitted themselves with the bat.

The period, 1974-2001, global cricket wittnessed the excellence of Roberts, Holding, Daniel, Croft, Garner, Marshall, Clarke, Patterson, Walsh, Ambrose and Bishop, West Indies were dominant 1975-1995. 

Bowling

 Are administrators so brain dead that nothing has worked to sustain a winning cricket in internationals, 1995-2020?  

Why West Indies have not produced lethal quicks, since 2001? 

Gabriel, Roach, Joseph and Holder are not outstanding bowlers. James Anderson mastered the art of .reverse swing. Gabriel, Roach, Joseph, Holder, and Thomas and others have not exhibited the wickettsking treath of swing bowling often enough as to influence batsmen to endure sleepless nights. Thomas seems to be this era's Uton Dowe. He all pace and little or nothing else. Joseph has not made the leap as the wicket-taking threat he was at U19 2016. Perhaps, Chemar Holder is ready for internationals. How about Harding? Perhaps, Paul, Joseph, Shepherd, Holder, and Pestano and other useful lower order batsmen should be restricted to ODIs and T20s. 

Batting

Gordon Greenidge and Alvin Kallicharran made two outstanding observations regarding batting in international areanas which influenced my thinking. Greenidge said he and Fredericks were about creating freedom of movement at the crease for the succeeding batsmen. He was referring to their game plan of scoring in dominant exhibition of stroke play off of as many deliveries as possible, often from the first delivery. 

Kallicharran said at the international level cricket is played above the shoulders. Successful performance is obtained whenever adjustments are made to counter what others are offering. Greenidge initially had issues with confidence against extremely fast bowlers in hostile environment. Richards and Greenidge overcame their flaws. Richards and Greenidge had long and successful careers. Thus, perhaps, Hope, Hetmyer, Bravo, and Blackwood, will sort out their issues and blossom into dominant batsmen at the international level for an extended period. Pooran and Hope should have been in the test team. Hope should have been an opening batsman. It worked for Richards in Australia in 1976. Harper said Hope is a piece for the future. Yet he omitted Hope in favor of the lesser talented with no future. Campbell, Brathwaite, Brooks, and Chase are not building blocks Campbell, Brathwaite, Brooks and Chase are not capable of lifting West Indies to heights attained by prior generations of outstanding batsmen. Campbell, Brathwaite, Brooks and Chase are mediocre. None of them, are equipped to give bowlers second thoughts much less, sleepless nights. 

Options for opening batsmen are extremely limited. Lewis and Simmons seem to have no interest in test match cricket. Ambris, King and Hemraj haven't shown any hints they can pass muster in internationals. Gridon Pope has failed to progress from U19 cricket. Perhaps, Carlos Brathwaite pointed a way forward when he opened with Hetmyer and Hope in T20 match. Perhaps, that makeshift combination ought to be tried in a test series. Blackwood is another option to try at the beginning of innings. 

The selectors must replace Campbell, Brathwaite, and Brooks, even Bravo and Chase. Hope, Hetmyer, and Pooran ought to be the first three choices. The selectors must introduce Carty to international cricket in January 2021. Perhaps, Rutherford, Alick Athanaze, Kimani Melius and Anderson are years away at best. Rutherford ought be given an opportunity soonest. 

If the choice is win series now. Then the T20 cavilers ought to be selected whenever they are available.

Captaincy

The skill set of Jason Holder has not improved in the four primary phases of the game. He is incapable of playing captain's innings whenever the opportunity demands. His bowling is unlikely to force West Indians and others to compare him to Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose. His deliveries lack wicket taking horizontal and vertical movement exhibited by Garner and Ambrose. He is not as capable as Garner in the field. He is sloppy at best. His captaincy suggest he is incapable of leading from in front. Imran khan he is not. It's clear, Holder is about propping and padding his performance statistics. He ought to be focused on winning cricket instead of personal performance numbers.

Perhaps, Pollard ought to be approached to be a caretaker test match captain. A bridge to the next long term captain must be put in place, as soon as possible. Perhaps, Hope, Hetmyer and/or someone else will be worthy of being groomed to be the next major test match captain. Holder, and Chase are not the answers.

Probably Long Term Solution

Guyana and the other affiliated boards are guilty of trying to win regional competitions instead of nurturing players to dominate the international competition. Guyana keep trotting out players who have no potential of becoming dominant internationals, and/or supporting cast to winning West Indies cricket.. Enough already with Johnson, Barnwell, Griffith, Beaton, Joseph, Chanderpaul, Lewis, and Riefer. The selectors must make way for Smith, Motie, Nedd, Anderson, Sinclair and other young players. CWI ought to require affiliated boards satisfy selection conditions, such as players who are likely to be selected for West Indies A, West Indies U 19, and current test teams and no more than four players who are beyond 28 years old and past consideration for any West Indies teams. CWI should increase the pool of players, beginning with two or four more teams in the 50 overs competition. Perhaps, an adequate number of fans could consistently support multiple games concurrently, in jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana. Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Cricket boards ought to be seeking franchises for the CPL and Super 50 competitions. The emphasis must be dentifying attacking batsmen who can alter the course of a match favorably and fast bowlers who can strike at anytime on any surface in any form of cricket. That's the missing element in Holder's teams 

In short selectors must demonstrate vision for current times and the future whenever teams are chosen for regionals and internationals.

Advise to Indians in the Caribbean

Discard the Chanderpaul mold. Grafting is boring. Grafting is ugly. Absolute grafting has no place in cricket. Pooran is explosive. Hemraj on fire is a breath of fresh air. Hemraj needs to overcome his health issues. Hemraj needs to record more centuries in dominant fashion especially against Barbados in Barbados. 

The IPL is littered with indian attacking batsmen. The IPL also showcase a number of fine indian fast bowlers. Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and others ought to be a yardstick for young indians to imitate. Even if Indians and other are not selected for West Indies teams they can earn decent standard of living in cricket in T20 leagues. Love for Hemraj, Permaul, Shepherd and Pestano to be offered IPL contracts. Love for them to perform at least satisfactorily, enough to be retained for several seasons. Notice, Sunil Narine, don't need West Indies teams selection. 

Grafting and spinners are unlikely to be selected by franchises when home grown talent are available, in abundance.

Some Thoughts on West Indies cricket, July 26, 2019

Here are some thoughts on West Indies cricket.           
 Since, 1995, it appears more things change, the more they remain the same with West Indies cricket.  It has become near impossible to root for West Indies cricket. The backwardness has been never-ending. It's as asinine as the experiences, 1900-1960. What is the purpose of West Indies A team? If  the West Indies A team is not for preparing young cricketers of international competition, it's a waste of time, energy and space. I am confident Cyril Lionel Robert James and Learie Constantine would agree with the determination I made. Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Rahkeem Cornwall, Chemar Holder, Sherman Lewis, and Jeremy Solozano are young enough to develop into outstanding internationals. Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Raymon Reifer, and  Jomel Warrican are a complete waste of time. None of them will become dominant internationals.
This current group of West Indies selectors wasted another opportunity to prepare young cricketers such as Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Kimani Melius, for internationals. Instead, the selectors choose to display the mediocrity of Raymon Reifer, Roston Chase, Jonathan Carter, Akeem Jordan,  Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell and Devon Thomas.   The 50 overs, five match series versus India A team was most disappointing. Sunil Ambris and Sherfane Rutherford showed signs of belligerent approach of the greats; Weeks, Walcott, Sobers, Collie, Rohan, Nurse, Lloyd, Fredericks, Richards, Greenidge and Haynes.

Will West Indies selectors ever get it right?
In summer 1966 they failed to include Fredericks and Lloyd.  During the period, 1966-1974; Robin Bynoe, Stephen Camacho, Joey Carew, Brian Davis, Ron Headley, Desmond Lewis, and Joe Solomon and other mediocre players were preferred over Lloyd, Fredericks, Kallicharran and Greenidge. The Fredericks and Greenidge show should have begun in Spring 1972.  Definitely in Summer 1973, Greenidge should have joined Fredericks as West Indies opening batsmen. Again the stupidity of the selectors gave Fredericks some 15 opening partners in 59 matches. They are  Stephen Camacho, Joey Carew, Rohan Kanhai, Deryck Murray, Mike Findlay, Desmond Lewis, Maurice Foster, Geoffrey Greenidge, Ron Headley, Lawrence Rowe, Gordon Greenidge, Leonard Baichan, Bernard Julien, Alvin Kallicharran and Vivian Richards. In fact, I recall the audacity of Guyanese cricket experts considering Vic Harnannan above Clive Lloyd. The issues are regional, historical, and current.
Clive Lloyd seems to prefer younger cricketers over aging veterans. He has been consistent in that approach. All others rarely display similar foresight. A teenaged Gary Sobers, Collie Smith, Al Valentine, Sony Ramadhin was introduced after a handful of matches. Other than the aforementioned, Michael Holding was the major master choice. After express deliveries at Bourda in which he had the better of Fredericks, Kallicharran and Lloyd, Holding was declared ready to face the Chappell brothers. The selectors should have used the 50 overs ,five match series versus India A team to gauge where Alick Athanaze, Kacey Carty, Kimani Melius, Gudakesh Motie, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Roland Cato, Brandon  King, Anthony Bramble, Clinton Pestano, Sherman Lewis, Jeremiah Louis,  Chemar Holder, Shemar Springer, Ryan John, Gidron Pope, Obed McCoy, Emmanuel Stewart, Kirstan Kallicharran, Keon Harding and a few others are at. Rahkeem Cornwall, Keemo Paul, and Romario Shepherd were disappointing. Khary Pierre was awful. Their performances do not merit inclusion into the senior team to play versus Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and the other Indians.                        Khary Pierre and Rovman Powell were horrible against India A team in July 2019. Keemo Paul, is perhaps, short of match practice. Why select Bramble if he will not be the wicket-keeper? Why play Nicholas Pooran as the front-line wicket-keeper when his bat is needed to give West Indies any chance of winning a game. Walcott and Kanhai were the wicket-keepers. Walcott and Kanhai exploded once they were removed from behind, the stumps. Yet, the current dummies continue to burden and handcuff the careers of Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran. The selectors are major contributing factors stifling the rise of West Indies cricket. The selectors, continuously flaunt mediocrity as a representation of WI cricket. Hence, the losing continues, unabated, with no light in the tunnel.  Winning cricket has eluded West Indies since 1995. Yet the selectors are allowed to continue to select mediocre players with no chance of being dominant internationals at the expense young promising players.                       
a) Who are the top six opening batsmen, middle order batsmen, fast bowlers, spinners, wicket-keepers, and all rounders in West Indies cricket?
b) Where does Anthony Bramble rank among middle order batsmen, and wicket-keepers, in West Indies cricket?
 c) Where does Bishoo, Motie, and Veerasammy Permaul rank among spinners, in West Indies cricket?
 d) Where does Keemo Paul, Clinton Pestano, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd, rank among all-rounders, quick bowlers and lower order batsmen in West Indies cricket?
 e) Is the door closed on the international careers of Devendra Bishoo, Rajendra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, and Vishual Singh?
 f) Who ought to be the first six batsmen, wicket-keeper, and four bowlers in West Indies test match cricket team?
 g) Who should comprise the first choice playing eleven for the West Indies in ODI and T20I matches?
I prefer five attacking batsmen, three all rounders, a wicket-keeper who is accomplished with the bat and two bowlers who are classified as lower order batsmen as the playing eleven in ODI matches. No tail-enders should be selected for ODI matches. Unless, of course, they are capable of striking fear in the minds of opposing batsmen. Currently, in West Indies cricket there are no such bowlers.
Too many grafters and mediocre players are always selected over promising young cricketers – thus West Indies cricket has become increasingly boring making it a rather agonizing exercise to root for West Indies cricket, in the era of Kraigg Brathwaite and Roston Chase. It is clear there is no light in the tunnel. After showing promising performances at U15, U17 and U19, nothing is being done to influence young cricketers 17-22 years old to stay in the entertainment industry. The 17-22 years old cricketers are stifled by the ridiculousness of the selectors continuance of choosing mediocre performers over them. This is a regional problem. It is true in Guyana, where players from Berbice and other rural communities are overlooked in preference to choosing those linked to Georgetown. Currently, players from Berbice; Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Clinton Pestano, and Romario Shepherd, dominate the Guyana franchise cricket. Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, and  Veerasammy Permaul, have appeared in test matches. Shimron Hetmyer, seems destined to be spoken in the same sentence with Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran. Guyana has won five consecutive regional four day championships. However, the selectors aren't rewarding the Guyanese cricketers with several opportunities to demonstrate their skills on the behalf of West Indies cricket.
Are  the following; Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson, Sherfane Rutherford, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Clinton Pestano, and Romario Shepherd, likely to represent the West Indies and/or be regularly included in West Indies teams within 2019-2024? The fact, the selectors chose Shamarh Brooks, and Roston Chase to captain the West Indies A team is ample proof Leon Johnson is not in contention for selection to represent the West Indies in international matches. Leon Johnson is currently the most successful captain in West Indies regional cricket. While Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd played in the recent 50 overs series versus India A team. Rutherford, and Shepherd were not selected for the longer format of the game versus India A team. The selectors are handing Guyanese mixed signals at best. Anthony Bramble is selected as the back-up wicket-keeper to Nicholas Pooran for the first two matches of the T20I in Florida. That reality clearly demonstrated the selectors are not students of West Indies cricket history. Otherwise, they would be aware Clyde Walcott and Rohan Kanhai dominated with the bat once they were relieved of the burden of wicket-keeping. With Fredericks, Greenidge, and later, Haynes, Richards, Kallicharran, Rowe, Lloyd West Indies, played the best available wicket-keeper, Deryck Murray and later, Jeff Dujon. Currently with weak batting and poor bowling, West Indies need to play the best available wicket-keeper, Anthony Bramble and Shane Dowrich and not burden Hetmyer, Hope, and Pooran with the chore of being behind the stumps when their bat is the priority.
    1. Would you advocate increasing regional teams from six to ten?
    2. Would you advocate Berbice be allocated a franchise in West Indies cricket?
    3. Would you advocate transparency in the selection of teams at regional and international competition?
It is long overdue for the selectors explain the following - Who are under consideration for selection; Who were not; Why players are selected; why players were not chosen and Which players are in their short and long range plans. Team selection is also an issue in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Windward Islands and Leeward Islands as it is for West Indies teams. This confounded nonsense must be ended to make way for winning cricket and West Indies cricket for another lengthy dominance of the cricketing world.

This is Cricket to me -What are your views?

High interjectory -Low interjectory - the process of selectology and others I have forgotten, are phrases, originated from the thought process of the incomparable, Fred Wills,  as he described the action on the cricket ground.  Reds Pereira, Toney Cozier, Henry Blofeld,  John Arlott, Everton Weeks described the action in their various styles and colorful word play.  They were the cream of the crop.

I am particularly fond of Joe Doolam, Ben Doolam, Poonai, Burlin Shaheed, Kanhai, Butcher, Fredericks, Kallicharran, Ancell Hazel, Isaac Suienarine, Randolph Etwaroo, Milton Pydanna, Randolph Ramnarace, Anand Sookram, Lal Munilal, the Sebalack brothers, and Hector Ousley.

They  are my favorite cricketers.  I testify No. # 64 Village Cricket Club, 1966-1972, is my favorite. I confess Joe Doolam most popularly known as Joe Best  is my all-time favorite cricketer. During the period, 1966-1972, I shadowed Joe Doolam, at rice fields at no. #63/64 Village, and Black Bush Polder, at rice mills. I also frequented the  cricket matches.  He participated  in Berbice. The most enjoyable periods were when Roy Fredericks showed up. He did so on  about three occasions. I have fond memories of being in the presence of Joe Doolam, Randolph Etwaroo and Roy Fredericks. I eagerly look forwards to games against Port Mourant. I would cherish the opportunities to simply shoot the breeze with  Burlin Shaheed, Isaac Suienarine, Anand Sookram, and Randolph Ramnarace, and a few others. I also loved watching Ancell Hazel, Lal Munilal and Joe Sukwah and that squad of ball beaters excepting Leonard Baichan, known as Rose Hall. 

It is possible there were better periods of  cricket in Berbice, than during 1966-1972, if it were, then that or those periods were extra-special. Thus, my favorite Berbician cricketers appeared in Davison Cup Club Cricket matches  and represented Berbice in inter-county, Guyana in regional the West Indies and the University of the West Indies in various matches.

I was aware of Milton  Pydanna in New Amsterdam. He and his brother were known as Primo. I firmly believe Sydney Jackman was the best wicket keeper ever produced in Guyana. However, I found his behavior absolutely repugnant. My recollections of my experiences with Joe Solomon and Leslie Amsterdam were totally disastrous and  putrid.

My favorite Berbice eleven would be Joe Doolam, Burlin Shaheed, Anand Sookram, Isaac Suienarine, Kanhai, Butcher, Fredericks, Kallicharran, Randolph Etwaroo, Milton Pydanna, and Randolph Ramnarace. 

My favorite Guyana eleven would be Kanhai, Butcher, Fredericks, Kallicharran, Milton Pydanna, Randolph Ramnarace, Colin Croft, Lance Gibbs, Clive Lloyd, Philbert Blair, and Edwin Mohammed 

Roy Fredericks, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Seymour Nurse, Collie Smith, Gary Sobers, Deryck Murray, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Roy Gilchrist, and Lance Gibbs with Conrad Hunte as the twelfth man, are the cricketers who comprise my favorite West Indies’ test match team on any surface in any country. Those are the folks I grew up admiring . 

The three W’s,  Walcott, Weeks, and Worrell, the outstanding spinners,  two pals of mine,  Ramadhin and Valentine and Robert Christiani were on their last licks.

Lloyd was making loud noise with the bat. He was scaring batsmen into long singles  with his arm while fielding  in the covers.

Fredericks didn’t make his test match debut until 1968 in Australia but he was and is my favorite opening batsman and favorite player against real fast and hostile fast bowling in conditions suitable for fast bowlers.

I believe neither a combination of Lloyd’s nor Richards’s teams, 1974-1991 nor that of original foursome West Indies fast bowlers and/or 1950's edition featuring  the three W’s and the two front line spinners would defeat that team of 1957- 1969  in a five-match series in any given condition. Emmanuel  Alfred “Manny” Martindale, Leslie George  Hylton, Learie  Nicholas Constantine, and Ernest Albert Vivian “Foffie” Williams formed what must be considered as the original West Indies foursome,  at Old Trafford on July 22-25, 1939. How quick they really were? Remains  unknown . . .  Constantine had been bowling in international cricket at least since 1923. That’s at least sixteen years. I don’t think Constantine could have been nearly as fast in 1939 as he was in 1923. That’s simply not humanly possible. After all he was 38 years old in 1939. Therefore, I concluded Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner were faster than Martindale, Constantine, Hylton, and Williams. Were they much better? That’s also unknown. 

 I still think Roy Gilchrist was the fastest bowler ever to set a foot in international cricket.  Lance Gibbs was  simply the best spinner of them all. Rohan Kanhai was  the most imaginative wizard with a cricket bat in his hands. That then is cricket to me. 

What are your views? Who would comprise your favorite teams at Inter - County, national and international arenas?

originally written on September 7, 2013

community over personal construction over frustration and dissatisfaction

Personal not community perception not construction frustration and dissatisfaction propaganda

The attitudes and behaviors of the PNC and their supporters have always reflected hostility to the achievements of the Shareholders and Joint-Proprietors of the plantations which the colonial administrations misappropriated into villages to be administered by their Ordinances. It is as though he Shareholders and Joint-Proprietors never existed. The business of political platforms over communities is too ridiculous for the DNA which allows me to have this current human experience.

I would not hesitate to remind all and /or educate folks that good intentions are all resting in the cemeteries.

It is abundantly, clear. In fact, problems of objective observations suggest, there is certainly, a lack of validity and reliability in the reproduction of the thought process of parrots of the political entities. This phenomenon is indeed a worldwide, issue.

Guyanese society can ill afford to continue upon this path of reckless endangerment to its people. The situation as it exists today cannot be described as favorable.

The main political parties resolutely oppose any alliance of the two major ethnic groups of the working-class people of Guyana. The political platforms continue to twist the noose of our political and economic reality. Guyanese people loose on all fronts. Demise, decay, underpopulated and underdevelopment continue to handcuff the Guyanese people

Farmers, housewives – all the many mothers and fathers – who instill in me the need for respect for life, property and community. I am indeed grateful, they took their time to nurture me – especially in light of the abyss our young people have now apparently fallen victim in this era. Ronald Austin, Stephen Bamfield, Lennox Cush, William White, Lionel Abel, Edgar Henry, Ebenezer Alexander Trotz,

I am especially grateful to numerous souls who were instrumental in the welfare of my heritage, and the communities they were resident. Allow me; therefore, to make mention of a number of them. James Alfred Trotman (1864-1961), Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman and their immediate relatives for nurturing my dearest ancestor of them all; Muriel Sancho. Leopold Duncan Sarrabo and Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones (1855-1945) for their indomitable spirit. The teachers at Golden grove Wesleyan school who educated and encouraged my mother to be an educator. The members of the extended family and the people of the communities of the upper East Coast of Demerara who in whatever measures contributed to my mother's welfare. Sampson Nathaniel Collins for delivering the invitation to the Most Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey (1887-1940) to visit the colony of British Guiana. James Donald Ainsworth for the historical articles of the rural communities – and for facilitating and or hosting the visit of E. F. M. Hercules at his residence at Victoria village, East Coast Demerara. Leslie Revers Dolphin Ainsworth, one of my mother's favorite pupils for the interest in my welfare. Rohan Kanhai, another of my mother's favorite pupils for remembering her – and informing me of his appreciation of her efforts, at Enmore Community Center Ground, during his farewell tour of the cricketing venues in Guyana. Roy Clifton Fredericks for emphasizing to me the importance of education, academics over cricket. Fred Wills and Joseph Oscar Fitz Clarence Haynes for supporting my parents and my siblings. Eusi Kwayana and Walter Rodney for championing the cause of the underprivileged working-class people. Edward Scobie and Nigel Westmaas for being my mentors. Captain George Arlington Davidson, Captain Victor D. Wilson, Colonel Carl Morgan, Colonel Marcus Monroe, Captain Ice Fraser, for encouraging me to be the best soldier I could be; while an enlisted member of the Guyana Defence Force.

Raymond Drepaul, Hemraj, Rampersaud Tiwari, Balram Singh Rai, Joe Doolam, Reginald Etwaroo, Slingshot Drepaul, Shango Umoja,

I am absolutely positive; their names do not honor their ancestors. I am cognizant Hemraj at Skeldon Line Path Government Secondary School, Derrick Roberts, Mamadou Lumumba and Shango Umoja at Golden Grove Government Secondary School – opened my eyes – with particular reference to knowledge of self. I remain grateful.

In 1874, Reverend Reginald James Moore published - A Handbook of the causes of non-success and degradation of the Negro race in British Guiana - what is regarded to be the first book written by an African of the Guyanese experience. The twentieth century is littered with outstanding teachers. Among them superb historians, including Norman Eustace Cameron, Jan Carew, Ivan Van Sertima, Brian Moore and Walter Rodney. Eric Williams and Cyril Lionel Robert James among those in Trinidad.

Patrick Benn, Patrick Barker, Kingsley Coddett, Ralph Moore and countless others for touching my life in a positive manner.

Research Interests

I am a member of the kinship of Sancho of Nabaclis and Golden Grove Village District.  The following are amongst my research interests;
History of the kinships of Campbell, Sancho, Sumner, Younge, Bentick, Solomon, Friday, Mootoo, Kissoon and Sandy and others.
The history of the working class people of the villages of East Coast of Demerara. The primary locations are; Nabaclis, Golden Grove, Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Ann's Grove, Haslington, Beterverwagting, and Plaisance. I focus on the Slaves. Apprenticed and Indentured Labourers, Shareholders and Joint-Proprietors of Plantations, and the advocates of Community Development.
The aftermath of the Demerara Slave Revolt of August 1823 on the plantations.  
The biographical information of the Guyanese teachers who were trained at Shortwood, Mico and St. Joseph colleges in Jamaica, Rawle in Barbados, Trinidad, Mico in Antigua and Bishop’s College , and Government Teachers’ Training College in  British Guiana, 1831-1966
Lists of Registered Sicknurses and Dispensers, Chemists and Druggists, Nurses, Nurse-Midwives, Dentists,1857 - 1966
Organizations and their organs, Education, agriculture and local government administration in rural communities. 
I am wondering whether you could point me to the immediate relatives of Friday Campbell, Leon Campbell, Haile Sancho and William Sancho.  I need to be enlightened regarding the relationships of Friday Campbell, Leon Campbell, Haile Sancho and Willaim Sancho to my known relatives.
I would love to communicate with Col. Ulric Pilgrim, and Grease Lightning Pilgrim. I need to locate and communicate with members of the kinship of Pilgrim of Victoria and Buxton and Friendship village districts . . . 
I need to learn who the relatives of station master, Charles Pilgrim are. I need to learn whether they are aware of the exact nature of his relationship to the people of Sancho.
I was also an enlisted member of the Guyana Defence Force. It is my understanding; Captain Victor Orlando  Wilson and Compton Ross were the officers in command of the first three groups of cadet officers in GDF who were trained in Guyana. Compton Ross trained Davidson, Maynard and others.
I served from March 30, 1974 to November 15, 1977.  I was called for the most part, Little Manish Puppy.  As the time went by I was simply called Puppy.  I did not mind that at all. In fact , I rather enjoyed those aliases.  I do not think Captain Compton Ross wanted to be known as Manish Puppy. During the stint I had in the army; the commanding officers were Lt Boyce, Recruit Training, Tacama Battle School, Training Corps, March 30, 1974 - June 30, 1974 and Captain Victor Orlando Wilson, Captain George Arlington Davidson, and Lt. Edward Collins in D Company, June 30, 1974 - November 15, 1977. Collins would become a career soldier. He was appointed Chief of Staff. Collins, Ranny Johnson and Brian Muller are Semple people. 
During that three years’ period I admired the following;
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS;
Col. Ulric Pilgrim, Col. Carl Morgan, Col. Joseph Singh,  Maj. Fairbairn Liverpool, Maj. Marcus Monroe, Maj. Brenda Aaron, Capt. Ian C. Fraser, Capt. George Arlington Davidson, Capt. Victor Orlando  Wilson, 2Lt. Davis, and 2Lt. Aubrey Retemeyer.

THE ENLISTED
WO 1  Bolton Sutton, WO 1  “Jungle Jim” Gerard, L/Cpl. Sugrim, L/Cpl. Moe, L/Cpl. Malcolm Grogan, Sgt. Leland Solomon, Sgt. Ewart Reynolds, and my squaddies Herman Reynolds and Dennis Simon.

I am trying to contact Curly Kissoon. I believe Curly Kissoon is a relative. I need to decipher the Kissoon-Solomon union. I also need to become enlightened respecting the names of my Kissoon and Solomon ancestors and their immediate relatives.

I am also curious; respecting the deaths of two Indo-Guyanese GDF officers, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I believe both were murdered. The officers hailed from the upper Corentyne region. Ramesh Narine  resided at Skeldon. The other was a resident of either # 67 or # 68 village. Ramesh Narine  was a school teacher at Skeldon Line Path Skeldon Government Secondary School. The Officers died in questionable circumstances. The official causes of deaths were said to be vehicular accidents.

GDF was military arn of PNC

I was an enlisted soldier. I was in the GDF. I did Recruit Training,  at Tacama, March 30 - June 30, 1974. I also did Trained Soldiers Course, 1976. Thus, I  served in Training Corps and D' Company, Pirai Battalion, March 30,  1974 – November 15, 1977. I was labeled Little Manish Puppy. 
My mother, Muriel Sancho was head teacher at # 68 Government Primary School, September 1966 – July 1972. Burnham retired Muriel Sancho, some  six years short of her career goal of fiftieth  (50) years service as a primary school teacher. 
While a youngster in primary school, I concluded I wanted to emulate Ramon Sattaur. I'm pretty sure, I'm not aware of an earlier non-Caucasian Guyanese commissioned officer. I'm sure. Ramon Sattaur is the first of the underprivileged working class peoples of Guyana to attend and graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
 I didn't realize how politicized the GDF really was until I received my first monthly salary in April 1974. Lt. Compton Ross, (Manish Puppy) was the officer handing out the salaries. Fifteen dollars was deducted for PNC dues. Another fifteen dollars deducted for credit union. Sometime, later, I learnt a number of soldiers had direct access to Margaret Ackman, Forbes Burnham and other PNC hierarchy. I wasn't going to run to Oswald Sancho, my uncle, former Chief of Burnham's security detail;  Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence  Haynes; Fred Wills, Winifred  Gaskin, and Rudy Kendall to pull Burnham's coattails. I could not live with politicians owning me. Ramesh Narine lived at Springlands. He was a teacher at Skeldon Line Path  Government Secondary School (SLPGSS). Harry Bissoon should be able to enlighten interested people on Ramesh Narine.  I  recall middle aged and elderly East Indians demanding I forget the foolishness of a military career and follow the footsteps of my mother as career schoolteacher. Talk sense to this young knucklehead. In retrospect I wish I had listened. College Professor would have been most appealing. Oh well my narrow mindedness couldn't think beyond primary school teaching.
I'm sure East Indians believed Narine was murdered. I also remember attending a funeral of a GDF soldier at #67 village. I believe he was a commissioned officer and a Muslim. His departure also was rumored to be murder. I  don't recall his name. I'm sure this transpired 1969-1972. Numerous Africans from the Corentyne were soldiers and commissioned officers. Joe Henry, son of Gershom Henry comes quickly to my mind.  Also, many of them, although birthed elsewhere have parents from the Corentyne.  Are you aware of the thoughts as expressed?