By Peter Della Penna
DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2011 New Inning Foundation Comeback Player of the Year is Gowkaran Roopnarine.
Prior to this year, Roopnarine’s last appearance in a USA uniform was in 2008 in the West Indies Cricket Board Cup tournament in Guyana. The wicketkeeper batsman endured a forgettable tour, scoring three runs in two games.
Image (right) - Gowkaran Roopnarine [Courtesy: Peter Della Penna/DreamCricket.com]
By his own admission, Roopnarine struggled with his fitness and focus on cricket but renewed vigor and determination saw him fight his way back into contention for a spot in the national team in 2011. At the inaugural USACA Twenty20 Nationals in New Jersey, “Juicy†was in sweet form playing for the Atlantic Region, finishing as the top scorer on the weekend with 193 runs in three matches including innings of 96 vs. North East and 81 not out in the final against Central West.
His prolific display earned him a deserved comeback into the national team. Roopnarine showed his value by finishing as the second leading scorer for USA in Florida at the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 tournament with 102 runs in four innings, including USA’s highest individual score during the week with 59 not out against Suriname.
At the age of 29, Roopnarine still has plenty years of top level cricket ahead of him. US cricket fans will be hoping that “Juicy†continues to turn in excellent performances like those seen in 2011.
