PERHAPS he walked away from the game that he dominated too young, but the 38 year old Dinesh Joseph is eager to return on the field in a different role.
He is arguably Essequibo’s best batsman in history and his magnificent 110 against Demerara in 2000 remains a gem and it is one of only five inter-county centuries scored by an Essequibian.
In a recent exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, the aggressive and technically correct opening batsman explained that due to frustration and the national selectors’ reluctance to believe in his ability, he decided to walk away from the game.
The former Essequibo captain was seen at the time as one of the best opening batsman in the country, yet he failed to attract the attention of the selectors despite his prolific scoring, both against Demerara and Berbice.
The soft-spoken Joseph reminisced that he was inspired by former Essequibo middle order batsmen, Lennox Alves and Sarjoo Jainarine to play cricket and once he did so, the game became his lifelong achievement.
He disclosed that inter-county matches were extremely tough and competitive, yet he relished the challenges, including the pace of Reon King and Colin Stuart as well as the spin of Mahendra Nagamootoo and Gavin Nedd.
He further disclosed that having consistently scored at that level, he was convinced that he was capable of achieving great things at the national and even international level, once he was given a break. “I didn’t think that the selectors were looking in my direction, even though the statistics were there to show” he remarked in frustration.
“Half of my life was dedicated to cricket and being the best, but I didn’t receive the support I needed from the authorities” he added. The flamboyant batting architect confirmed that his favourite cricketers are Steve Smith, Michael Clarke and Curtly Ambrose, while listing his maiden inter-county century and first division double century as two of his finest moments on the field.
With perhaps losing the opportunity now to score again, the still popular sportsman wants to inspire young cricketers from the county to become successful and to represent their country; an opportunity he regretted he didn’t get.
Joseph mentioned his desire to return to the game as a mentor, as he is willing to share his experience, expertise and challenges to Youths across the Region, including the Pomeroon district.
He advised that cricketers need to be disciplined, attend practice sessions regularly and be their own masters at solving their own technical problems, instead of relying only on coaches to do so.
He is also of the belief that Essequibo’s cricket needs persons of some intellect and knowledge of the game, since cricket in the County remains stagnant’, he disclosed.
Now that the Essequibo senior team has won the GCB Cricket Franchise League, he disclosed that more players from the county should be given the opportunity at the national level, based on their performance and ability.
Joseph who resides in Cotton Field on the Essequibo Coast, remains a treasure of Essequibo’s cricket and it is the hope that the Essequibo Cricket Board and other stakeholders will seek to positively utilize his presence and skill in advancing the game in Essequibo, especially within the school system.
