Twenty-four-year-old Sherfane Rutherford is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball. There is a very good demand in various leagues across the world and hence extensive experience in the T20 format. This player’s day can be absolutely ruthless with the bowlers and tear apart any bowling attack.
Rutherford, a T20 specialist, has been selected in a 14-man Guyana squad to play in the 2022 Regional Super50 in Trinidad from October 31.
Sherfane Rutherford has scored two half-centuries in 16 List ‘A’ innings since his debut in the format against English County Kent in Antigua on January 31, 2018, but the left-hander, from Enmore Village East, has not played for Guyana since March 2019.
Rutherford, who has played 6 Twenty20 Internationals for the West Indies team, spoke about returning to Guyana colors after an absence of more than three years and said that it was a good feeling to play regional cricket.
“First of all, I must thank God for the opportunity. It’s a great feeling to be back in Guyana…good feeling playing Regional cricket…it’s been a while. It’s something I have put in thoughts and plans and good you know I have some time and I am looking forward to enjoy it.”
Guyana last time won the 50-over title in 2005 and have reached the final three times since then. Rutherford is hoping to make an impact in this tournament.
“Playing in the Super50 for me is very important, I play every tournament hard, every cricket game hard. Being so long out of it and coming back I would try my best to just leave that impact and give myself the best chance of performing as well. So I am looking to enjoy it and can’t wait to get started.”
The destructive left-hander hopes to get back into the West Indies team by getting back into the runs.
“My mind-set change a bit in terms of trying to be more aggressive and showing more intent. Being aggressive does not mean being reckless… show more intent and try to score off good balls and rotate the strike more but everything else remains the same.”
“I will look to score runs and try and make my way back to the West Indies team.”
Further commenting, Rutherford says that he is happy to be a father and is enjoying every moment of it.
“One of the things that has changed for me since becoming a father is enjoying my cricket. That’s one thing that I think helps a lot. Since I have become a father I have been enjoying whether I perform or not. I enjoy it and try to still learn in those tough times, that’s what will make you a better person.”
“It’s good being a father as well and am enjoying every moment of it and everything I do is for my son so I just want to perform for him.”
Rutherford, who made his first-class debut as a teenager in April 2017, now understands what he needs to do if he wants to play for West Indies again.
“There is a lot of benefits for me from playing in this tournament since I know that as long as I perform well there is a chance of playing for West Indies.”
“Personally as well I want to give my best and perform. So it’s not just about going there…it’s about going there and leaving a mark.”
Also, his fitness to play for the West Indies team was an issue and he added that he is currently working on his fitness as well.
“For the longest while, I have heard that my fitness was my problem of not playing for the West Indies. It’s something that I am working on and what’s in my control is go there and keep performing since as long as I keep performing there must be a way for me.”