By Avenash Ramzan
Chandrapaul Hemraj is on a mission!
At 28, the Guyanese left-hander believes he has a lot more to offer to West Indies cricket, and he is keen on adding to the six One-Day Internationals he played between October and December 2018 against India and Bangladesh.
“I’m determined to get back to the top,” the opener told News Room Sport at the weekend.
Hemraj is aware that consistent performances with bat and ball, and maintaining a high level of fitness are key to getting a recall to the West Indies senior team, and he is looking to use the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League as the springboard to a return to international cricket.
Slowly developing into a genuine all-rounder, Hemraj was one of only four players retained by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for this season.
“I’m once again thankful to the franchise for retaining me,” Hemraj said.
“For me, apart from playing my part in helping the Warriors to lift that title for the first time, I’m also hoping for a breakthrough season, one where I can do enough to earn back a spot in the West Indies team.”
“I’m very determined to make that happen again. I think I understand my game better now and I believe I can offer a lot more to West Indies cricket.”
Hemraj, an E4/Cricket Zone USA Brand Ambassador, has been in fine form in recent times.
In the recently concluded Regional Four-Day Championship, he scored three half-centuries in seven innings for the Guyana Harpy Eagles, with a highest of 78 against Jamaica Scorpions in his final innings.
Like so many Guyanese players, Hemraj is using the off-season to play in the US Minor League. Playing for New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers, he has already racked up two centuries in the T20 competition.
Against the Philadelphians on Saturday last, he cracked 101 not out off 50 balls, smashing 11 sixes and two fours as New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers chased down a target of 193, winning by nine wickets in 18.2 overs.
The previous weekend against Empire State Titans, the dashing left-hander cracked a magnificent 130 off 54 balls, an innings that included 16 sixes and a solitary four in New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers’ mammoth 233-4 to set up a 73-run win.
“I’m hitting the ball really well right now, and mentally I’m in a very good place. I’m looking to take this form into CPL and hopefully my performances there can take us to the title,” Hemraj, who scored his maiden T20 hundred (105* off 67) against Barbados Royals last season, added.
CPL 2022 will take place from August 31 to September 30.
