CRICKET, GUYANA AND THE GCC

Now that nearly every cricketing nation is involved in some Tournament somewhere in the world, I thought I would resurrect a very short piece I produced nearly six years ago. For cricket- lovers especially.

The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) is a significant sports club of the Caribbean and a revered institution in Guyana.

One hundred and fifty-five not out (155 N.O.), the GCC is still batting its way into history; long the oldest Cricket Club in the West Indies, the GCC was one hundred and fifty-five years old in 2008. But two important points about this legend of a landmark must be made up front. For both old and young Guyanese. Even as we cricket lovers acknowledge that the ground itself has been now upstaged by the Providence Stadium and turf.

Firstly, the now world – famous GCC is more than a Cricket Club. It once boasted the best Hockey and Lawn Tennis teams in Guyana and, from time to time in the past, billiards, snooker, bridge and poker complemented the exploits of its world – renowned, cricketers.

Secondly, the BOURDA CRICKET GROUND, the Club’s hallowed turf often held the centre – stage of attention. The arena with its stands, score – boards and pavilions, all bordered by tropical trees, commanded equal attention as the Club itself. After all, when fans think of “BOURDA” it is the ground, the pitch and outfield, the scene, the venue which are conjured up. Again, the City-history reminds us that it was Mr. Joseph Bourda who once owned the plantation accommodating GCC/Bourda.

But these few paragraphs of nostalgia recall the actual Cricket Club – the GCC – its history, its members and characters.

The GCC might have been founded much earlier than the 1858 recorded. Its first location was the shared venue of the then Parade Ground on Middle Street in Georgetown. But by 1883 it was time to acquire its present land and property at Regent and New Garden Streets. What a rich history of sportsmen and achievements have evolved! What a rich legacy left, now that a new Cricket Stadium is a reality.

Once the domain if the colony’s upper and middle classes, the GCC resounded with names – and – families – such as the WIGHTS, ST DARES, FERNANDES, CAMACHOS, DE FREITASES; then there were the individuals the “younger” Guyanese might remember – Maurice Green, Frank de Freitas, Kenny Wishart, Peter Bayley, Bernie and

Leenie Thomas, Bruce Pairaudeau, Alvin Kalicdharran, Gary Nascimento, Fred Hartman, and latterly Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The status and prestige of the Club could also be detected through its illustrious office – bearers, including its Presidents – Sir Frederick Seaford, W.S. Jones, G.W.E. Copper, Leon Williems, Vivian Dias, George Camacho, Geoffrey Fraser and Paul Chan –A- Sue to mention a few. John “Cubie” Brummel was a character of a Secretary and there was a “Saturday Morning School” of the fifties and sixties with members of substance like Rupert Craig and Dr. Neville Abbensette indulging in games and specific beverages.

I’ve merely touched the surface of the history of Guyana’s grand cricketing institution. For a fuller story, acquire the publication by Dr. Ian Mc Donald.