Center Stage

Guyana’s team manager Nazeer Mohamed confident of success as team wings out
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Guyana’s Under-19 team departed for Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday July 9 for the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 50-over Championship.

Led by captain Parmeshwar Ram and vice-captain Romario Ramdeholl, the young Guyanese will be looking to bring home the regional title for the first time since 2018.

Guyana open their campaign against Trinidad and Tobago on July 11, before facing Jamaica, Barbados, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands.

This year’s tournament will feature only the 50-over format, with all matches set to bowl off at 9:30hrs.
Squad: Parmeshwar Ram, Romario Ramdeholl, Shamar Apple, Adrian Hetmyer, Justin Dowlin, Yannick Newton, Dhanesh Persaud, Khush Seegobin, Joshua Budhram, Gilbert Griffith, Feaaz Baksh, Micah Amsterdam, Jonathan Mentore and Darwin Joseph.
Meanwhile, team manager Nazeer Mohamed has expressed confidence of the guys returning successful.
Just before the contingent left the shores of Guyana, Mohamed mentioned, the preparations were excellent and that would certainly boost the guys them tremendously.

According to Mohamed, the players worked hard on every aspect of their game and no-doubt it will help motivate them as well.
“There are some good players coming back from last year and the team is well-balanced; we are ready to compete and I am positive we can be the winning team,” Mohamed, the Essequibian, related.

Photo Caption: Guyana’s under-19 team

Forbes Daniels’ Cricket Academy renamed through ECB
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Forbes Daniels’ Cricket Academy will continue by the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) at Suddie ground on the Essequibo Coast, Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Daniels died two weeks ago due to illness at the age of 65. He was a former Essequibo Inter-County player and a long-serving coach for Essequibo teams at various levels.

After his cricketing career, he became a qualified coach and ran the Cricket Academy for over ten years aiding the development of young, aspiring cricketers on the Coast.

At his funeral service, in Zorg, the announcement was made by the President of the ECB Deleep Singh during a farewell speech.

According to Singh, who is also the Vice-President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Daniels left a legacy and it is the Board’s obligation to continue from where he left off.

Singh mentioned the youths benefitted tremendously from Daniels’ service and wants the players to continue with their development.

After his death, tributes poured in for Daniels as many cricketers who touched gloves with him highlighted the accomplishment of Daniels of being an outstanding and inspirational coach and more so was focusing on the fundamentals of the game.
Former Guyana youth player Devon Ramnauth, who was a sponsor for Daniels’ Academy over the years, stated that he is still saddened with the passing of Daniels but overwhelmed with the move by the ECB.
Ramnauth, who also represented Essequibo at all the levels, reiterated the importance of youth development and very optimistic that the ECB will continue to nurture the young cricketers.

Ramnauth strongly believes the youths need motivation and good guidance and Daniels epitomized that before his departure.

Quizzed on if he will continue to support the Academy, Ramnauth quickly stated that he will definitely be involved once the youths are eager to learn the game and ambitious to play for Essequibo, Guyana and ultimately West Indies.

Another former Essequibo Inter-county cricketer Ravendra Madholall echoed similar sentiments of Ramnauth.
Madholall, one of the four brothers to have represented Essequibo , revealed that the youths will no-doubt continue to feel determined to play the game and get the fundaments rights.

Madholall said this collaborative approach by the ECB and Academy players will improve Essequibo’s cricket in every aspect.

Cricket West Indies Announces ODI Squad

for the First Three Matches against New Zealand

ST JOHN’S, Antigua- Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member squad for the opening three matches of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, to be played in Guyana and Barbados.



19-year-old wrist spinner Vitel Lawes, who has been training with the Senior team since the preparatory camp prior to the start of the home series, receives his maiden senior call-up. Earlier this year he was named in the ICC Under-19 World Cup’s Team of the Tournament, where he impressed by claiming 10 wickets and bowling the highest number of dot balls during the competition.



Coach Nikita Miller has been added to the team management unit for the Guyana leg of the series to continue providing specialist support to Lawes during his first senior international assignment.

Shimron Hetmyer was granted pre-approved clearance through a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to fulfil his Major League Cricket commitments.



All-rounder Shamar Springer withdrew from selection following the passing of his mother. Cricket West Indies extends its deepest condolences to Springer and his family during this difficult time.



Keemo Paul, who was recently added to the West Indies Test squad as reinforcement, has been included as the replacement for Springer.

The squad otherwise retains the core group of players who featured in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka in Jamaica.Head Coach Daren Sammy says the series remains crucial for the team’s long-term preparations for the ICC 50 over World Cup in 2027.



“Every series we play from here on leading up to the 50 Over World Cup, we view them as must-win scenarios. The matches against New Zealand provide the best opportunity for us to continue our improvement as an ODI unit while winning more matches for the people of the Caribbean,” Sammy said.



“The inclusion of Vitel Lawes is strategic as we continue our long-term vision of exposing players who can complement the team in conditions that best suit their skill sets,” he added.



The team assembles in Guyana on July 8 following the completion of the test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua.

West Indies ODI Squad Against New Zealand (Guyana Leg)

Shai Hope (Captain)

Ackeem Auguste

John Campbell

Keacy Carty

Roston Chase

Matthew Forde

Justin Greaves

Amir Jangoo

Alzarri Joseph

Shamar Joseph

Vitel Lawes

Gudakesh Motie

Keemo Paul

Sherfane Rutherford

Jayden Seales



Team Management Unit (TMU)

Head Coach: Daren Sammy

Manager: Rawl Lewis

Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer

Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul

Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith

Assistant Coach (Spin Bowling): Nikita Miller

Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne

Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram

Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster



Match Schedule in Guyana

1st ODI: July 11 – Guyana National Stadium in Providence, @ 2:30pm AST/1:30pm in Jamaica.

2nd ODI: July 13 – Guyana National Stadium in Providence, @ 2:30pm AST/1:30pm in Jamaica.

3rd ODI: July 16 – Guyana National Stadium in Providence, @ 2:30pm AST/1:30pm in Jamaica.

Shiv Sangalemaa (124), Kevin Christian (106) power West Coast Warriors to 323-run victory
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Shiv Sangalemaa and skipper Kevin Christian struck 124 and 106 respectively as West Coast Warriors surged to a mammoth, 323-run win over Empire Strikers last Sunday when action continued in this year’s Commonwealth Cricket League 30-over tournament.
Playing at Brentwood venue in New York, Warriors rattled up a daunting 384-5 from the 30-overs before dismissed Empire Strikers for a paltry 61 in the 19th over.
Sangalemaa, the former Berbice Inter-County player, clobbered 10 sixes and 11 fours during his enterprising, 43-ball show at the crease.
He ended his debut knock with a breathtaking strike-rate of 288.33 and also shared an impressive, 193-run fourth-wicket stand with Christian.
The ex-Guyana youth player Christian also batted with equal flamboyance slamming 11 fours and six sixes while occupying the crease for 49 deliveries.
Warriors, who have eight wins from 9 games now and holding the number 1 spot on the table with 16 points, won the toss and justified their decision to bat first.
Opener Anthony Providence and Youghestir Bachan set the tone with a prolific, 79-run opening stand with Providence scoring a rapid 57 and Bachan contributed 31.
Sakif Rifat conceded 79 runs from his maximum six overs but he grabbed two wickets to be the only bright-spot in Empire Strikers’ dismal bowling performance.
When Empire Strikers batted, they slumped to 57-5 in the 14th over. Priton Faisal offered some resistance with 23 while Jihad Begg was the only other batter to reach double-figures with 17.
Experienced leg-spinner Brandon Cabose was the chief tormentor for West Coast Warriors having nabbed 3-11 from five tidy overs while Avi Dhanpaul and Kenly Adams were also instrumental with the ball by claiming two wickets apiece on an animated surface.
Meanwhile, the 12-team round-robin competition will have a break this upcoming Sunday for the US Independence Day Holiday but the action resumes July 12th.
Things will climax late September with the grand finale.

Photo Caption:
Shiv Sangalemaa

Knights beat Cavaliers by 131 runs at Empire State Cricket League T20
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Knights beat Cavaliers by 131 runs in the continuation of the 2026 Empire State Cricket T20 competition last Saturday at Sprakers Cricket ground, USA.
Knights rattled up a formidable 252-1 from the allotted 20-overs before restricting Cavaliers to 121-8 at the expiration of the 20-overs.
Ramesh Kasinath led the way for Knights with a cameo, 49-ball 83 and he also shared an attacking 139-run opening stand with Kumar Joseph.
Joseph contributed 69 before he retired-out. Both batters reached the boundaries frequently. Kasinath struck nine sixes and two fours while Joseph, the former Rose Hall Town Youth Under-19 cricketer, clobbered seven sixes and three fours during his 36-ball show.
Mohit Rawat and Rahul Kadle were also among the runs with 52 and 27 respectively.
When Cavaliers batted, Ashu Sai scored 30 and 20 from Yashaswi Cavaliers as off-spinner Haresh Atlum grabbed 3-29 from his maximum four overs and he got good support from Alok Patra with 2-26 (04).
The competition continues on Saturday.

Photo Caption: Former Albion player Ramesh Kasinath, left, and Kumar Joseph strike a pose after their brilliant 139-run partnership

Former Essequibo Cricketer and Coach Forbes Daniels dies at 65

Former Essequibo Inter-County cricketer and respected coach Forbes Daniels passed away on Thursday following an illness. He was 65.

Daniels was widely regarded as one of Region Two's most dedicated cricket coaches, playing a pivotal role in the development of young cricketers across the Essequibo Coast. For many years, he operated a cricket academy for Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19 players, with most of the training sessions held at the Suddie Sports Club Ground in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

A name synonymous with cricket in the Cinderella County, Daniels served as head coach of several Essequibo Inter-County teams at various levels. Before embarking on his coaching career, he represented Essequibo in Guyana Cricket Board tournaments and was a prominent player for the Suddie Cricket Club in domestic cricket.

Daniels began coaching in the mid-1980s at his home village of Zorg and later expanded his work to the nearby Suddie Sports Club Ground. Through his commitment and passion for nurturing young talent, he helped shape the careers of several players who went on to represent Guyana. Among them were Devon Ramnauth, Dillon Heyliger, Anthony Adams, the late Shivnandan Madholall, Dinesh Joseph, brothers Norman and Norwaye Fredericks, Rayon Thomas and Bheesham Seepersaud.

Freelance sports journalist and cricket coach and umpire Zaheer Mohamed paid tribute to Daniels, describing him as a coach who worked tirelessly to develop young cricketers.

"Coach Daniels dedicated countless hours to helping youngsters improve their game. He was approachable, humble and admired for his strong work ethic," Mohamed said.

Sports reporter Ravendra Madholall also reflected on Daniels' immense contribution to cricket in the county.

According to Madholall, Daniels possessed an unwavering passion for working with young, talented cricketers on the Essequibo Coast and remained committed to the sport throughout his life.
Forbes Daniels leaves behind three children, along with countless former players, colleagues and members of the cricketing fraternity who will remember him for his invaluable contribution to the development of cricket in Essequibo.
Photo-The late Forbes Daniels

NSC CARICOM Domino Bonanza set for July 5th at Gymnasium
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The National Sports Commission (NSC) CARICOM Domino Bonanza Part IV Minister’s Cup is slated for July 5th at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.
The tournament will run for two consecutive days at the same facility with action commencing at 4pm on Sunday and then on Monday (Holiday) from 4:30 pm.
The champion team is set to collect $400, 000 and the Minister’s trophy along with nine medals while the runners-up side taking home $250, 000 and a trophy and also nine medals.
Third-place team will also be awarded with $125,000, the Director of Sports’ trophy and similar number of medals.
In addition to those prizes above, the best-dressed male team will be receiving $25,000 and 1 pack of dominoes and similar prize for the best female side as well.
Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr is expected to grace the occasion and be part of the presentation ceremony along with other colleagues from the Ministry of Sports.

Photo Caption: Sports Minister Charles Ramson jr