The Guyana Cricket Board has confirmed it will host three Four-Day practice matches in January to aid the national senior Men’s team preparations for the Cricket West Indies Regional Four-Day Championship, set to start in February.
Below is a statement issued by the Board on Thursday afternoon.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in keeping with its promise to play national matches within the three counties, as against the centralised location of Demerara, has scheduled two of the three matches in the GCB Best-of-the-Best Red-ball Four-Day tournament.
The tournament will involve a pool of earmarked players participating in competitive matches, with the initial match at least being played ahead of the selection of the first national team to participate in the CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament 2022.
President of the GCB, Mr. Bissoondyal Singh opined that though it may appear that the inclement weather has necessitated the need for use of suitable venues outside of Demerara, the consideration to return Inter-County, national trials and practice matches to other counties is keeping with the strategic plans of the GCB.
President Singh said: “We are happy to announce that despite our challenges, which have seemingly emanated from previous franchise arrangements, the GCB is going ahead with its planned programmes. Although our funds are limited, we intend to create the competitive environment necessary to provide the players with optimal opportunities for game readiness and match form; and the national Four-Day team with the best chances of winning the CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament 2022.
“The first two matches are scheduled for the Albion Community Centre ground, Berbice, and given the need to have cricket played throughout the counties, the second match scheduled for Albion is subject to change based on weather conditions, while the third and final match is being arranged for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.”
The dates for the three GCB Best-of-the-Best Red-ball Four-Day Tournament are January 5-8, 2021, January 12-15, 2021 and January 18-21, 2021.
The two teams for the first match will be announced no later than the end of January 3, 2022.
