GCB – The 592 Dugout

Griffith tests positive for Covid; Savory called up as replacement

Guyana Jaguars opening batsman Trevon Griffith has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Jaguars scheduled departure for the CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua on Saturday (January 30).

This was confirmed by a source in the administration of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). According to the source, Griffith will be replaced by wicket-keeper batsman Kemol Savory.

The team will be captained by the experienced Leon Johnson, who will have West
Indies’ batsman Shimron Hetymer as his deputy.

Meanwhile, Keemo Paul will sit out of the tournament in order to facilitate adequate recovery from an injury, whereas, Sherfane Rutherford who was considered for selection, has opted to play T10 and T20 cricket
in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Upon Arrival in Antigua, a 2-day room isolation is required after which the Jaguars will undergo Covid-19 testing on February 2, with another scheduled for February 6 between which players will be allowed to practice as a group.

The team is as follow: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Leon Johnson (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer (Vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble (Wicket-keeper), Akshaya Persaud, Tevin Imlach.

The team is led by Coach, Esuan Crandon and Manager/Assistant Coach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while the Physiotherapist will be Ernesto Campo Gonzalez. The Guyana Jaguars first game will be against the Barbados Pride on February 8.

Johnson’s XI beats Hetmyer’s XI by 2 wickets in 1st Jaguars practice match

In the first practice match which was played at the LBI ground on Monday (January 18), Johnson’s XI won the toss and inserted Hetmyer’s XI to bat. In a match which was initially reduced to 45 overs due to drizzles during the morning hours, Hetmyer’s XI reached 83 for 6 off 23.3 overs when rain actually put a temporary halt to play. On resumption the overs were revised based on time remaining, with Hetmyer’s XI having 11.3 more overs to bat in the match which was further revised to 35 overs a side.

Akshaya Persaud made an entertaining unbeaten 51, inclusive of 2 sixes and 3 fours, to propel his team to 152 all out off 33.3 of their allotted overs. Ricardo Adams supported well with a quickfire 47, in which he slammed 5 sixes and 1 four. The only other batsman to reach double figure was Vishual Singh with 15.

Bowling for Johnson’s XI, West Indies fast bowler Romario Shepherd grabbed 4 for 24 from 5.3 overs, while talented fast bowler Nial Smith claimed 3 for 22 from 6 overs. Gudakesk Motie and Ramaal Lewis took 1 for 26 from 6 overs and 1 for 22 from 7 overs respectively.

In reply. Johnson’s XI under the DLS 4 system required 143 for victory. Jonathan Foo was full of confidence, blazing 35, a knock which included 4 sixes, and one in which he helped to catapult his team’s score to a winning position, with team mates Tevin Imlach and Romario Shepherd contributing valuable
scores of 28 and 15 respectively, allowing for Ramaal Lewis and Gudakesk Motie to complete their team’s winning innings unbeaten on 7 and 3 respectively, as Johnson’s XI reach 145 for 8 from 30 of their allotted 35 overs.

Earlier, opening Trevon Griffith contributed 19, inclusive of 2 fours. Bowling for
Hetmyer’s, XI, Steven Sankar took 4 for 39 from 7 overs, Antony Adams 2 for 12 from 4 overs and Kevin Sinclair 2 for 20 from 7 overs. Leon Johnson’s XI won by 2 wickets.

The next practice matches are scheduled for Wednesday (January 20), and Friday (January, 22) at the LBI facility.

Regional & International cricket to return to Guyana in 2021

After asking for an ‘emergency’ meeting with Cricket West Indies (CWI), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has revealed that Guyana will be hosting a number of regional and international matches in 2021. The meeting was initially called so that the Ministry could engage CWI on the ‘legitimacy’ issues of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. led the Guyanese delegation over a ‘Zoom’ meeting while CWI President Ricky Skerritt headed his team.

However, the heartening news about the return of international cricket to Guyanese soil was shared to the public through the Ministry’s social media platforms.

“The Ministry is pleased to share with the public that Guyana is confirmed to host several regional and international matches at the Guyana National Stadium in 2021, including when Pakistan tours the West Indies in August”.

**Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.**

In respect to the GCB which it contends is illegitimate, The Ministry “shared its position that the body calling itself the “Guyana Cricket Board” is illegitimate under the laws of Guyana, and that their representation on the CWI ought to be reviewed”.

“The CWI delegation was informed that the Ministry has disengaged from the body since the restoration of the Cricket Administration Act and will not have further engagement with the body until there is full compliance therewith, including deciding to deny the body entry to the Guyana National Stadium, although access has been allowed to participating players and coaches only.
The Minister also shared plans for future investment in cricket development in Guyana and discussed various operational matters with CWI, including the planned schedule for regional and international cricket matches and tournaments”.

GCB vs GoG continues, GCB members banned from the National Stadium

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has imposed an immediate ban of the ‘Guyana Cricket Board’ (GCB) members from the Providence National Stadium citing non-compliance with the Cricket Administration Act.

This comes on the heels of statements from Minister Charles Ramson Jr. on Tuesday, in which he shut down a request from the GCB for the use of the National Stadium and also said that his Ministry does not recognize the GCB as a legitimate body responsible for cricket in Guyana.

The Minister was at the time referring to an article published in sections of the media that suggested the recently held ‘Bounce Back’ Football tournament which was held at the National Stadium had resulted in serious damage to the pitch area.

Consequently, the GCB hit back on Wednesday with a press release of their own in which they challenged certain parts of the Cricket Administration Act and revealed that they would now have to use the LBI Facility for the practice matches to select a team to represent Guyana at the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament.

Additionally, the press release noted; “The GCB has consistently objected to various aspect of the Cricket Administration Act based on strong and valid arguments. As a consequence, the GCB finds it disheartening that there once again appears to be political interference in the administration of cricket in Guyana, albeit that this time the interference seems to be ignited by Minister Charles Ramson Jr.”

Meanwhile on Thursday, the Ministry posted a statement to their social media in response to the ‘GCB’ press release.

It read, “As a consequence of a failed attempt to denigrate the Guyana National Stadium and to maliciously incite public disquiet by an illegitimate body purporting to call itself the “Guyana Cricket Board” by causing to be published images of the ground which have proven to be false, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has taken a decision to prohibit entry of the members of the illegitimate body to the Guyana National Stadium ground with immediate effect until there is full compliance with the restored Cricket Administration Act.”

However, the Ministry noted; “being mindful of the careers of the players who will be participating in the Super50 regional tournament, we will, therefore, permit access to the Guyana National Stadium to players and coaches only.”