Fatherhood, a greater understanding of one’s self, love for the sport, and a strong support base are all the reasons which stopped Ricardo Adams from quitting cricket.
“I was going to walk away, didn’t feel in love anymore. But I got the support, who pushed me to work hard and try again to play for Guyana,” the 26-year-old recently related to News Room Sport.
October 25, 2018, against Jamaica in the Regional Super50 marked the last time the left-arm spinning all-rounder represented Guyana.
In seven matches, he has made 54 runs and in five innings and taken six wickets.
Injury, fitness and discipline are factors which led to his prolonged absence, and they are all issues he vowed to resolve in his quest to wear national colours again.
The young lad from Zeelandia, on the island of Wakenaam, had been earmarked for a considerable stint in the senior set-up after impressive performances at the Regional Under-19 level.
“I broke my hand [against Jamaica] and that injury kept me out for a very long time since I could not train, but I really want to play back for Guyana and I am working on it,” the father of two expressed.
The downtime from injury and some unwise off-field choices resulted in a dip in fitness, but according to Adams, it was a learning experience and he understands the need to be disciplined both on and off the field, and more so be consistent.
“My fitness is not 100% currently but I am working towards it with the support I have, and I work every day on it; I want to be back in the academy set up.”
He added, “I had an issue when I was an Under-19 player, I think in 2013, when I got banned [for three months], but as I got older I realised discipline is the key to any sport. I realised you make mistakes in life and I have become more disciplined and I continue to work.”
The support Adams keeps alluding to lies primarily with businessman and cricket enthusiast Rajkumar Singh, who has been an avid fan of the player since his Under-19 days, and felt Adams still has much to offer to Guyana’s cricket.
Success of peers
Out of the joy of seeing fellow Under-19 or senior teammates succeed and make it to the international, it reminds Adams that if he put in the long hours, his chance could come, and now with all of this focus solely on cricket and family, he believes the possibilities are endless.
“I am always happy for the youngsters; sometimes it is a pain for me seeing younger players and some of my age group going forward. Sometimes I sit at home and think about it and say I have to go back and work hard. I know have the ability to be there.”
Adams has had some notable performances for Jaguars; in October 2018, he took 2-22 in eight overs which stifled the Windward Islands Volcanoes and set up a 93-run win, while in February 2018, he took 1-42 and then made an unbeaten 19 which sealed a nervy four-wicket victory.
The Police Sports Club player said he will continue to train twice daily, given the support from his employer, Singh, and hopes he can return to the Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy where he can begin to force a recall with solid performances in the domestic tournaments.
