Antony Adams mapping blueprint for sustained Essequibo success

Antony Adams is a man of many hats.

After a landmark year that saw him lift titles as both a senior player and a coach, the Essequibo mainstay is still hopeful for more days in the Guyana Harpy Eagles colours, but also is focused on his burgeoning career as a coach.

For well over a decade, Adams has been the heartbeat of Essequibo cricket. A left-arm spinner and handy lower-order batsman, he has been the definition of a ‘local pro’—consistent, resilient, and often, perhaps, overlooked.

It has not been an easy road for the 32-year-old, as finding a consistent spot in the team in recent years has not been easy, given the formidable duo of Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie.

When a gap did appear, the emergence of newer, younger spinners often saw selectors pivot away from the seasoned veteran.

In 2025, Adams played a lead role in Essequibo, winning their first senior inter-county 50-over title, a joint title with Demerara, and, in a remarkable dual-role success, coached the Essequibo women’s team to a historic senior T20 title.

The ladies also won the 50-over  title, but Adams did not coach as he was in Trinidad on Super50 duties.

For Adams, the success is a divine reward. “I give glory to God for keeping me in situations to be successful,” he says. “Not just in the inter-county, but I’ve won eight other tournaments, local and overseas, this year.”

The rise of Essequibo as a cricketing powerhouse in Guyana is no fluke; long considered a “whipping boys”, Essequibo is now producing a steady stream of talent.

Adams, a Level II certified coach, attributes this to increased exposure.”Post-COVID, more players are being exposed to a higher level,” Adams explains.

He points to the likes of Keemo Paul and Ronsford Beaton being joined by a new wave, including Joshua Jones, Thaddeus Lovell and the emerging Golcharran Chulai.

“With the females, we’ve seen similar things with six representing Guyana at the senior level. Because players are exposed to higher levels, we are seeing more consistent performances.”

Despite his coaching success, Adams isn’t ready to hang up the boots. His selection for the Guyana Harpy Eagles Super50 squad this year—his first call-up to the final 14 after being a standby since 2011—was a bittersweet milestone.

He has featured in the Four-Day format for the Eagles.

Drafted in as an injury replacement, he travelled to Trinidad but did not feature in a tournament heavily impacted by rain.

Despite the near-miss and the push for youth, Adams remains defiant. ” While I didn’t get a chance to play due to bad weather, I see myself as someone who can keep things tight while taking wickets in any limited-overs team. I can bat in any situation and, more importantly, be a good influence on the youths.”

What keeps a veteran going after over a decade of “tough times and disappointments” in the selection room? “Knowing I’m good enough to play at the highest level,” he says. “He [God] believes in me. So I will never doubt myself.”

The transition to coaching has felt natural for Adams as “I’ve always seen myself as a leader. Even when I’m just watching, I watch with a coach’s perspective. My recent success with the female team reaffirmed what I’m going to do after my active playing days.”

Adams is particularly concerned about the changing landscape for young Guyanese athletes, noting a decline in “street cricket” and outdoor activity, making the player-coach role even more vital.

“Most youngsters watch us on television or their phones now. When I was growing up, I tried everything I saw on TV when playing in the streets.

It’s imperative that we, the current players, try our best to get more involved in community activities so the new generation can benefit from the knowledge we have to share. There’s always life after cricket, and it creates job opportunities as an aspiring coach.”

As he continues to push for a consistent spot in the Harpy Eagles XI, Adams is already building the foundation for his next act.

Whether with the ball in hand or a clipboard in the dugout, Antony Adams’ influence on Guyanese cricket appears set to endure for another decade.