GAW new kid on the block: Kevin Sinclair living his dream

By Brandon Corlette

A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work for dreams to become reality.
This is exactly the route Kevin Sinclair took, and now his dream has become a reality.

Hailing from humble beginnings, this Berbician reached greater heights through graduating from junior cricket with honours; dominating local cricket; playing in the Regional Super50 Cup for the championship team, West Indies Emerging Players; representing the Guyana Jaguars in the Regional 4-Day tournament; and now earning his maiden call-up for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In an exclusive interview with cricnation592 done at Rose Hall, East Canje, where he played a career-defining match in scoring a century and claiming seven wickets, Sinclair told this publication it is a great feeling to be included in the GAW.

Having always attended the CPL home matches at the National Stadium at Providence, Sinclair disclosed that he had always dreamed of having opportunity to play in ‘the biggest party in sport’.

“As a young player, I always wanted that opportunity to be a part of it; so I am looking forward for a good tournament, and to learn as much as I can from international and some of the local players,” Sinclair posited.
During the pandemic, Sinclair had been putting in the work via online sessions with the Guyana Jaguars physiotherapist Neil Barry Jr. The off-spinning all-rounder, who plays local cricket for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, has said he has been working on his all-round skills heading into this CPL.

Sinclair with the Regional Super50 Cup

With CPL involving a mixture of local and international players, Sinclair sees this as a fitting opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge.
“It is going to be a learning curve, so a young player with my mindset is (eager) to learn as much as I can from players like Ross Taylor, Imran Tahir and Chris Green. These players I would look up to, and walk away with a bag of information to add to your game so when you meet at that level, you will be able to execute your skills better,” Sinclair said.

Speaking on composition of the squad, Sinclair said he feels this is a solid team. He also is of the view that this team stands the best chance of winning the tournament, it having a rich mixture of international and local players. With this tournament being of a different nature — playing behind closed doors without fans – Sinclair said he believes the environment would be safe and secure, and the players would have to adhere to the protocols and have a positive mindset.

With the entire tournament slated to be played in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Sinclair is urging fans to tune in via online, and keep supporting the team.

The journey at Rose Hall Canje

This interview was conducted at Rose Hall Canje, where it all started for Sinclair when he produced a match-winning performance for his first local club, Police, against the Rose Hall Canje team in an under-15 fixture.
During his chat about the CPL, Sinclair reminisced on his journey: “I can remember a U-15 game, coached by my grandfather (Carlton Sinclair) and Coach Newland. It was when my grandfather sent the guys ahead and said start the game, he is cooking. The night before, he had said, ‘Score sixty and take six wickets and I will give you a thousand each’. “When he came, he heard I took six wickets, but it was 7 for 3; and he was here when I was batting, and I scored a hundred.”

That is where it all started, Sinclair explained.

Sinclair appeals for Guyana Jaguars during the Regional 4-Day tournament (Photo: Brandon Corlette)