– Gurbaz unavailable for GAW
By Brandon Corlette
Cricket fans, many of them rabid followers of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), are anxiously anticipating the first match of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League to be played in Guyana.
Unbeaten this season, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be coming up against the mighty Jamaica Tallawahs in a match to be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence today, Wednesday September 13, from 19:00h.
At a press conference held at the Guyana Marriott on the eve of what everyone expects to be a humdinger, GAW captain Imran Tahir and Head Coach Lance Klusener have expressed positive opinions on the Warriors’ chances of defeating the Tallawahs.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, is delighted to have the CPL return to Guyana, where the finals would be hosted for a second successive year.
According to Ramson, the partnership between CPL and the Government of Guyana has been a fruitful one.
“We have a lot of excitement and anticipation for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. We are pleased and happy with the partnership we have with CPL. It has been a wonderful team, and we have established a really strong partnership. It is because of this partnership we are able to offer this very special initiative,” Ramson has said.
The South African Klusener, who is enjoying his maiden stint as Head Coach of the Warriors, said: “First time back in about 22 years, and it is an absolute privilege. I have been to a lot of leagues around the world, but I never felt the vibe that I have in this tournament. From my point of view, I am looking forward to the next few days at home. We have certainly felt the love and vibe from our supporters that have travelled to different islands. From a team point of view (being unbeaten) we would have taken that any day heading into home matches, but we are in a good space.”
Also very upbeat, Tahir, captain of the Warriors, is happy to return to Guyana, a place that he says is close to his heart.
“It is always nice to be back here. I think I am half Guyanese, and I am looking forward to be full. It is nice where we are in the table. It was a challenge for us, being away and win all our games. Coming back here, we all know what the expectations are, and how we feel about it. I have experienced that vibe; everyone knows what cricket is all about,” Tahir has said.
Tahir has also been pleased with the support of those Guyanese fans who have traveled to the different islands to witness the Warriors play. Captain Tahir has also confirmed that Rahmanullah Gurbaz will not join the team this year, as the Afghanistan Cricket Board has set out restrictions for the wicketkeeper-batter to prepare for the 50-Over World Cup, which bowls off next month in India.
Tickets for the RBL CPL final, set for September 24, have been sold out. This is according to CPL Head of Marketing, Chris Watson.
The Warriors’ opponents, Tallawahs, have recorded only two wins in seven matches. One of their encounters was a no-result, due to rain. Tallawahs have five points, and with three matches to play, they will be coming hard at the Warriors. Captain Brandon King is no stranger to Providence, having scored two CPL centuries at the venue. Guyanese legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be a key man in the Tallawahs as he shares his knowledge as the Head Coach of that team.
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Saim Ayub, Hazratulla Zazai, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Shai Hope, Gudakesh Motie, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair
Jamaica Tallawahs: Imad Wasim, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Mohammad Amir, Alex Hales, Chris Green, Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, Hayden Walsh Jr, Raymon Reifer, Amir Jangoo, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie, Kelvin Pitman. (GTimes)