Captains promise high-octane Golden Republic T20 Bash

The stage is set for a grand showdown between Hetmyer Hurricanes and Rutherford Renegades in the Golden Republic T20 Bash, set for today (February 21) at the National Stadium, Providence. The two captains have promised a high-quality match to usher in the country’s 50th Republic anniversary.

Speaking at the pre-game press conference on Thursday, the two West Indian players assured fans they will aspire to produce their best possible showing in the match, which has a G$1M prize for the winning team.

Shimron Hetmyer: “Each and every game we try to take it as serious regardless of the type of match it is. It is still cricket and you are still playing with pride so will take it a serious as we can and have fun at the same time. It is always nice to have banter; we know each other well so it is going to be really nice.”

Sherfane Rutherford: “We train together so there is a lot of talk that the Hetmyer XI is going to walk over us so there is a lot to play for; it is just not a fete match or a fun day game. The intensity is going to be high and the guys on my team a ready to prove a point to the Hetmyer XI. Their manager Vishaul Singh has been talking a lot, so there is going to be a point to prove and I think the game will be good for Guyana.”

Apart from the hardball action, which starts at 18:00h, there will be a softball showdown between archrivals Ariel Speedboat All-Stars and Regal All-Stars from 14:00h.

Both camps promised to produce their best with prize money being G$200,000.

Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie, explained they will relax the International Cricket Council’s regulations regarding what fans can bring into the venue.

However, glass bottles and firearms and other illicit items will not be allowed; fans can bring small coolers and those who arrive early will be in line to win prizes.

The day’s event is organised by the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Guyana Cricket Board.

Tickets are on sale at the Guyana Cricket Board office at Regent Road, Bourda, for G$2,000 for any stand and vehicle parking passes are G$1,000 each.

Mashramani coordinator Andrew Tyndall thanked Caribbean Airlines for sponsoring the tickets of Trinidadians Lendl Simmons and Rayad Emrit.

Hetmyer Hurricanes: Shimron Hetmyer (captain), Trevon Griffith, Lendl Simmons, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Ashmead Nedd, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Qumar Torrington, Richie Looknauth and Akshaya Persaud. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Technical Director), Steven Jacobs (Coach), Vishaul Singh (Manager) and Neil Barry Jr. (Physiotherapist).

Rutherford Renegades: Sherfane Rutherford (captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Jonathan Foo, Anthony Bramble, Leon Johnson, Raymon Reifer, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Rayad Emrit, Quintin Sampson, Joshua Jones, Ramaal Lewis, Keon Joseph, Ricardo Adams. Esuan Crandon (Technical Director), Veerasammy Permaul (Coach), Devendra Bishoo (Manager) and Ernest Campo Gonzalez (Physiotherapist).