A pair of proud fathers were among the first fans watching action in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 today at the Guyana National Stadium.
Albeit a warm-up match, Wayne Auguste and Arjune Nandu were riveted to the activity in the middle as their sons – Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu respectively – were in the thick of battle for the West Indies versus India at the Providence venue.
Both fathers have been following their son’s progress for years and are hoping this campaign on home turf will be successful. For Saint Lucia’s Auguste, it would be particularly pleasing if the Rising Stars could win the tournament.
“My son is the captain of West Indies Under-19s. I’m happy and proud that he is learning and growing in the sport. He started a very long time ago and just to see him progress makes me feel good,” said Auguste.
“I always travel whenever he plays. I follow him around. Ackeem has been playing cricket since he was about two-and-a-half years old – so we’ve been at it a long time. He definitely wants to go all the way in cricket, and we give him all the support possible.”
Meanwhile, Nandu – who played First-Class cricket for Guyana (1988–1992) and two Youth Tests for West Indies Under-19 (1990) – left the talking to his other son, Marcus Nandu, also a talented cricketer, who was in Canada’s squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2018.
“It’s a nice feeling to see him playing for the West Indies. Normally we play together so to see him out there is cool,” said 21-year-old Marcus of his 18-year-old brother who scored a half-century in a losing cause.
Regarding the family’s plan for the tournament, which starts on Friday with the West Indies opposing Australia at the same venue, Marcus revealed he and his dad will “watch the matches in Guyana and then we may go to St. Kitts”.
Auguste – whose son suffered a first-ball duck – is hoping his travels will take him all the way to Antigua and Barbuda – to watch the West Indies in the business end of the event.
Joycelyn Dias was also among the smattering of fans absorbing today’s duel, and she was playing teacher.
“I’m a cricket fanatic. That’s why I’m here. There’s hardly anybody but it doesn’t matter – I’m here and I have my friend. I’m introducing her to cricket properly!” she declared, accompanied by her gal pal, Ayanna Greene.
“There ain’t a Guyanese who will tell you that they don’t know anything about cricket. She’s not a fanatic but, if she didn’t like cricket, she wouldn’t be here with me. My company is not that good.”
Both women – clearly good friends – dissolved into laughter.
Asked if she intends to attend the tournament, Dias replied emphatically.
“Absolutely – all the matches! I have my season ticket already!”
Other spectators, including some club players, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon assessing the young men on the field, applauding shots and wickets alike. Most plan to heed the tournament tagline for the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and ‘Be There’ for matches at GNS and Everest Cricket Club (ECC).
Before that though, warm-up fixtures continue tomorrow at ECC and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in Guyana and, in St. Kitts and Nevis, at Warner Park and Conaree Cricket Center.
Robertson S. Henry is a multi-time award winning sports journalist from Saint Lucia, currently residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His coverage of sporting events both locally and regionally, not just landed him the Sports Journalist of the Year Award on numerous occasions, but recognition from the International Olympic Committee in 2005.
Henry began his fulltime career in journalism with the now defunct Crusader Newspaper in 1994, and worked with the Voice Newspaper until 2007. He established the sports website sportcaraibe, and believes “sports is the fourth pillar in the socio-economic development of the Caribbean.”
Henry has also produced work for a number of regional newspapers including the Trinidad Guardian, Stabroek Newspaper of Guyana, and in 2010 did a photo-shoot of Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke for the Australian Herald.
