A few days ago, Guyana named the Harpy Eagles squad for the next phase of the West Indies four-day tournament.
Accordingly, West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, senior left-arm spinner Antony Adams, and young Kevlon Anderson are replacing Chandrapaul Hemraj, Akshay Persaud, and Ashmead Ned in the squad.
Hemraj was withdrawn in the second-round match against Windward island volcanoes and is yet to recover from his concussion, a forced change, and could be ruled out for the rest of the championship on medical grounds.
The absence of both Essequibo left-arm spinner Antony Adams and Berbice batsman Kevlon Anderson from the first-round squad was widely discussed earlier and blamed on their non-selection.
speaking at a press conference held on Saturday, Ramanresh Sarwan, the new chairman of the senior selection board, emphasized that Anderson must be given the opportunity.
“One they want to invest in. he is one we have to keep grounded and allow him the opportunity to play so he can improve.”
In 2020, the talented Anderson was on the verge of making his first-class debut but the COVID-19 pandemic spoiled that possibility when 2019/2020 CWI regional four-day tournament was halted with two matches remaining as Barbados finished fifth to Guyana.
Hoverer, The young right-handed batsman scored a brilliant century for Berbice against Demerara on the second day of the first-round match of the Guyana Cricket Board Senior Inter-County Four-Day Championship.
The 22-year-old stylish right-hander from Rosehall Town Youth and Sports Club made a big difference on the day, scoring 106 off 194 balls with 13 fours.
Anderson, who scored an unbeaten 86 as West Indies beat England in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, played 11 List ‘A’ matches for the West Indies Academy in the Regional Super 50 last year.
He says he plans to score a maximum score if he gets the chance to make it to the final eleven.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m a part of the team, it shows that hard work really pays off. I plan to make the best of this opportunity with a big score if I am selected in the final eleven.”
The youngster also said that he has worked on this as an area of his game and mentally changes his approach in front of pace or spin bowlers.
“Yeah, I trust the works that I’ve been putting in, so it’s just going out there and performing now. I think my strength is my patience and being able to bat for long periods.”
“Different bowlers try to get you out in different ways so, yes, I just look to play each ball on its merit.”
Asked if he has any goals for his debut season, he replied that he hopes to start his career on a high note.
“Well, it’s my first season, so I’m trusting God and my ability that I start off my career on a high.”
He also says,
“I’ll say we need a proper indoor facility during the rainy season. It’s not much I can do besides fitness training.”
The 22-year-old, who got married in the first week of December last year, said that he gets a lot of support from his wife.
“Yea, she loves cricket and is 100 percent supportive. She watches each game that streams live or even the score. She never prevents me from playing, so I know she is the one for me to depend on.”
Anderson, who is aspiring to play Test cricket for West Indies, said many people have helped him in his cricketing career and as a person.
“My brothers used to play cricket but I was never really interested in it; I was more of an athletic person… track and field… until there was this kiddies cricket tournament which I played in. I was in grade six at that time and I got the Man-of-the-series in the tournament and from there I started.”
“Names are too numerous to mention, and I really don’t want to miss anyone, just want to say thanks to everyone who supported me — family, and friends — from starting of my career to this point. I really do appreciate you guys.”
Harpy Eagles (28.6 points) lead the standings ahead of defending champions, Barbados Pride (23 points), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (20.6 points), Windward Volcanoes (19.4 points), Leeward Hurricanes (17.4 points), and Jamaica Scorpions (10 points).
Guyana Harpy Eagles squad: Kevlon Anderson, Matthew Nandu, Tevin Imlach, Leon Johnson (C), Kemol Savory, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-captain), Shamar Joseph, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Antony Adams
Reserves: Mavindra Dindyal, Rampertab Ramnauth, Demitri Cameron, Sachin Singh, Neiland Cadogan, Ashmead Nedd, Sylus Tyndall