New Skipper Full Of Confidence...
We’ll Retain Championship
JERRY ANGUS was born at Belladrum on the West Coast of Berbice on May 12, 1960 and although he may have harboured dreams of making it to the top, he could have never guessed that he would have done so in this manner.
He is the first player in Guyana to make his debut in regional First Class cricket as player and captain at the same time.
Angus is second only to Rolph Grant in the West Indies in this regard.
However Angus captained Guyana’s Youth team in 1978 in Barbados and 1979 in Guyana when his team lost in the final against Jamaica.
Among those he captained are Garfield Charles, Andrew Jackman, Rabindranauth Seeram, Roger Harper and Clayton Lambert.
The new Guyana captain has played with the senior team in 1981 against the Windwards and Leewards in the Geddes Grant/ Harrison Limited Overs competition, and he captained Berbice in last year’s Guystac Cup.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Angus expressed confidence that Guyana will retain the Championship and his place in the Guyana team.
Stabroek Sport: What are Guyana’s chances in the tournament?
Jerry Angus: I think that we’re in with a very good chance. We have good guys like Mark Harper, Andy Jackman and Clayton Lambert, some of the senior players who will have a crucial role to play.
I think we have a very good team and I‘m positive we’re going to win.
S.S.: Do you envisage the double challenge of being made player and captain affecting your game?
J.A.: I don’t think it would affect my game in any way. You see, although I have not played First Class cricket for Guyana before, I have played Geddes Grant/Harrison Line. I’ve captained Guyana in youth cricket therefore you would note that I’ve always been around. As such I have a fair idea what I have to do.
It is only natural for people to assume that the extra pressure should affect a player getting into his first big game but I think I’m capable of handling it.
I did a good job in the trials and I’m promising the Guyana public that we’ll win. I think that the public should not worry too much about the fact that this is my first game, I’m going to get the support from my players.
They are keen. We won the Shell Shield last year and we’re very serious about winning the Red Stripe this year.
S.S.: Do you think that you can maintain your place in the team?
J.A.: I think that I’m good enough as a bowler to maintain my place in the national team. I bowled quite well at the trials and picked up as many wickets as any other bowler.
I think that I deserve my selection. I worked hard enough to earn it.
I know that I’m going to do a good job as a captain and as a player. I’ll make my personal contribution, I’ll lead by example and inspiration.
S.S.: Are you worried about losing your place when Butts, Hooper and possibly Harper return from India.
J.A.: Naturally I should be a little concerned, but that depends on my performance in the first two matches.
If my performance, in these games both as a player and captain are creditable, I am positive that I will retain my place in the team.
S.S.: How do you feel about the selectors banking on experience?
J.A.: I’m happy about that, because I’ll be able to gain from advice coming from senior players such as Pydanna, Harper, Seeram, Jackman, Solomon and Lambert.
S.S.: Would you regard your bowling as weak?
J.A.: One must appreciate that Hooper, Harper and Butts are away, but I think with Matthews, Burnett and myself along with the fast bowlers Charles and Solomon we can beat Jamaica.
Our advantages are that we will have the home advantage and we have the more experienced of the two teams.
S.S.: How are the final preparations going?
J.A.: Along with nets sessions, we are having physical training programmes, team meetings and blackboard strategy and planning sessions. However, I’m a little worried about the uncertainty of the weather.