BCB/Brian Ramphal Awards Programme…
— Shepherd sponsors BCB U-13 tournament
By Brandon Corlette
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has honoured several Berbice players and former player Clayton Lambert under a special Brian Ramphal Awards Programme, in a ceremony which was held at the cricket board’s office in New Amsterdam.
Consistent left-arm spinner Veersammy Permaul, who continues to seek a West Indies recall, has been honoured by the Hilbert Foster-led BCB for taking the most wickets in the 2020 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day tournament; while Anthony Bramble has been recognised for his wicket-keeping skills, having effected the most dismissals for a Guyanese at the Regional level.
West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd has been honoured for scoring his maiden first-class century against the New Zealand A side, while Guyana Jaguars pacer Nial Smith has been recognised for making his first-class debut. And West Indies star Shimron Hetmyer and the promising Kevin Sinclair were also honoured in their absence.
BCB President Hilbert Foster has hailed these awardees as proud sons of the Ancient County and of Berbice Cricket, and he added that they are all recognised as outstanding ambassadors of the county. He urged them to continue working hard.
Each of the awardees received a trophy and medal from the BCB.
Additionally, the BCB honorued former Berbice captain and West Indies player Clayton Lambert with its highest award, Tribute to Heroes.
BCB boss Foster described the former national and West Indies opener as an outstanding Berbice hero and positive role model. The award was presented by BCB Vice President Albert Smith.
Additionally, the RHTY&SC, MS presented its highest award, The Dolphin Award of Excellence, to Lambert. The former opener, whose highest score was 263 not out vs Windward Islands at Skeldon, has said he was humbled to be honoured, since he is a very proud Berbician.
Lambert also praised Foster for his outstanding work as President of the BCB. He urged the West Indies cricketers as well as the National cricketers from the Ancient County to work hard.
The BCB further presented Lambert and his wife with special gifts, along with a Christmas cake with the written words thereon, “Berbice Hero.”
Meanwhile, West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd has come on board to support the BCB by sponsoring an Under-13 cricket tournament for clubs in the Ancient County. BCB President Hilbert Foster sought the promising all-rounder, who plays for Tucber Park, to secure his support, and he readily agreed to assist.
President Foster expressed gratitude to Shepherd for remembering his Berbice roots and also for investing in the future. Foster has assured Shepherd that the tournament would be well organised and would achieve all of its objectives.