By Akeem Greene
“The will must be stronger than the skill.”
Profound words of former boxing extraordinaire Muhammad Ali.
Without a doubt, there is strong willpower by stylish wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory to play senior cricket for Guyana, and even when the chips were stacked against him, there was no giving in.
Having been named in Guyana Jaguars 14-man squad for the upcoming Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Super50, Savory is one step closer to achieving that dream. In 2018, he was two steps, after being listed as a reserve.
Understandably, frustration grew for the 23-year-old, since the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel was dim for the gloveman, and for fair reasons.
With the likes of Windies B T20 captain Anthony Bramble and Windies Youth keeper Tevin Imlach being the front-runners for the gloveman job, opportunities for him have been minuscule.
But even this could not force him to entertain the thought of giving up.
“It [being selected] settled my nerves yes, because at times I might get a little frustrated, but I can’t give up, that was never in my book. I was there, I knew I was close and I just had to keep putting in the work and the extra work all the time.”
He added, “I always wanted to play for Guyana at the highest level, and to do so, I had to have patience because it is not like you can go make runs this season and you walk into the team. You have to keep banging and give the selectors something to think about.”
Now on the cusp of a senior regional debut, he relishes the chance to perform in any role, especially at the top of the order.
“I think my role is the second opener, I should think. At the franchise level I bat three and it is like opening batting. It is a major role I am ready to perform for Guyana.”
Savory and Berbice fast bowler Nial Smith are the new faces in the squad, and interestingly, the last time those two would have don national colours, Guyana completed a historic ‘double’ in the Regional Under-19 tournament in Guyana in 2014.
The nostalgia is something Savory hopes can bring a fresh approach and a title-winning result. No Guyana team has won a Regional 50-over title since 2005.
“Yes it could. You have some new guys like myself and ‘Smithy’ and that energy coming into the Jaguars will be a great boost to bring home the title.”
According to Head Coach Esuan Crandon, Savory s one cricketer who has a duly impressed with this work ethics.
“For other players in the Academy and other aspiring players, Kemol is a good example, a good motivation for them. Kemol has been knocking on the door with some solid performances in the league and even at club cricket as well. He has been rewarded for his hard work, his consistency, dedication at training. I am very happy for him and hopefully he gets the opportunity to play he can show us what he is capable of doing at another level.”
At Wednesday’s first practice match against a Rest XI, Savory struck nine fours and two sixes in 65 off 91 balls and he will get another crack on Friday (November 1).
The second and final practice game for the Jaguars ahead of the upcoming Regional tournament will be played at the Enmore Community Centre ground from 09:30h.
