Bishoo Has Big Job In Guyana Crucial Matches

Guyana leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

Bridgetown, Barbados – Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo is looking to “come alive” and help Guyana to “stay alive” as the West Indies Cricket Board’s Caribbean T20 enters the second week at Kensington Oval.

Bishoo has just one wicket for 55 runs in two matches so far but believes a big performance is just around the corner. Guyana have played two matches — a hard-fought win over Leeward Islands and a heavy defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago.

“We believe we can win the two matches we have coming up and advance to the Final Four. We played well to beat the Leewards but we had a bad match against Trinidad and Tobago and now we are in a position where we have to look for two wins in our last two group matches,” Bishoo said.

The Guyanese will be looking to “up their game” when they face Canada on Tuesday at 4 pm (3 pm Jamaica Time). The day’s other match is Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at 8 pm (7 pm Jamaica Time). After Canada, the Guyanese will turn their attention to the Windwards in what could be a key Group A match on Thursday at 8 pm (7 pm Jamaica Time).

“It is all up to us now to stay focussed. I’m looking to be among the wickets in the coming matches and try to bowl Guyana to victory. As players and as a team, we just have to remember the good things we did when we were successful and look to repeat them,” Bishoo said after a full training session on Monday morning.

The Guyanese are currently third in Group A on four points from two matches behind T&T who have eight points from three matches and Windward Islands with eight points from two matches. The Leewards have four points from three matches while Canada are winless in two matches.

Group B is not as tight. Barbados have eight points from two big wins while Jamaica who have eight points from three matches. Combined Campuses & Colleges have four points after one win and one defeat; Sussex have four points from one win and two defeats; while the Netherlands have suffered two defeats.

“In the first match against the Leewards I didn’t think I bowl all that badly, but I didn’t have a good last over and I paid for it,” said the 26-year-old Bishoo, who was the Caribbean T20 Star of the Tournament in 2010 when Guyana won.

“In the second match against Trinidad and Tobago we needed wickets and I had to try everything to try and win the match and I didn’t work out. It’s up to the batsmen to put the runs on the board and give us something to bowl at, and I’m sure we will defend it.”