ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Veteran left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul on Wednesday praised some outstanding former Guyana and West Indies players as inspirations after passing 600 wickets in the first-class format.
The 33-year-old claimed the wicket of Akeem Jordan in the second session on the opening day of the Headley Weekes Tri-Series final match to reach the coveted milestone at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
He finished with three for 16 as Team Headley was dismissed for 177 in their first innings after opting to bat first against Team Weekes.
“I want to thank God for helping me to reach another milestone, my family, parents [as well], even my club back at home – Albion,” Permaul said.
“I always loved cricket. I grew up watching cricket on television. I never thought I would become a cricketer, but I worked on it by going and watching some first-class games.
“At that time, first-class cricket used to be played at neutral venues – other than international venues – and we used to go and watch cricketers like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, even [Ramnaresh] Sarwan.”
He continued: “I was fortunate enough to have two Guyanese cricketers at that time [from Albion who represented West Indies], and those were Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon, and that was motivation by itself to play cricket.”
Team Headley collapsed to 74 for six at lunch after left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes (3-17) ripped through the top order in the first session before Permaul grabbed his wickets in the remaining sessions to keep Team Weekes on top.
Kavem Hodge top-scored with 67 in a 71-run, seventh-wicket stand with Jordan, who made 37 before under-edging a massive heave at a wide delivery from Permaul.
“It is just another game for me. It’s first-class cricket, and I don’t think anything changes,” explained Permaul, who played the last of his nine Tests the previous year.
“It’s the same cricket, but the only thing [different] is you have accomplished [an] achievement along the way.”
Team Weekes finished the day on 61 for three, 116 runs adrift of first innings lead.
and then 