The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday last honoured the four Berbice Under-19 players who successfully represented Guyana at the recently WICB Under-19 Tournament in Barbados. They are Shawn Pereira, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai and Shimron Hetmyer. The four were a part of the Guyana team which placed second in the just concluded one day and three days tournaments.
Chairman of the Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, hailed the four players as good ambassadors of the ancient county and stated that their outstanding performances were due to the hard work and activities of their respective clubs and the BCB.
Foster stated the regional Board had, over the past five years, invested heavily in its young cricketers in an effort to have them excel on and off the cricket field. He said that the success of those four players is the fruits of that investment. The veteran cricket administrator feels that Guyana would have won both of the tournaments had Loyydel Lewis, Linden Austin and Kandasammy Surujnarine, three capable cricketers, not been excluded.
Treasurer of the BCB, Anil Beharry also congratulated the players while disclosing that Motie-Kanhai was the joint leading wicket taker in the three days tournament, while Pereira was the leading three days all rounder. Shepherd was named best bowler in the one day series, while Hetmyer turned in a sterling performance scoring a century and several half centuries.
Mr. Beharry further blasted the selectors for omitting several cricketers deserving of selection based on merit and performances. President of the Berbice Cricket Board Keith Foster urged the players to remain focus and disciplined while reassuring them that his administration would continue to implement programmes that would assist in their development. Each of the four players received a trophy which was sponsored by the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 Cricket team.
National Under-19 opening batsman, Shimron Hetmyer, spoke on behalf of his team mates and expressed gratitude to the BCB for recognizing their achievements. They also acknowledged the assistance of the administrators in their cricketing lives. Hetmyer also congratulated the BCB on its outstanding work and urged the executives to continue to invest in players in the region.