Arjunes' eyes on big time

For whatever reasons, two Guyanese brothers have been ignored by successive local selection panels at varying levels.

Krishna Arjune, 21, and his younger sibling, Vishal 20, however, have used the disappointment as motivation to succeed.

And they have responded admirably.

The story, in chronological order, is one with a special difference for two brothers who will take the field at Kensington Oval today for the West Indies 'B' team in their final round Busta Series match against Barbados.

Krishna, an opening batsman, is selected for Guyana in the 1998 Nortel Youth Championship in Trinidad.

The rain ruins the three-day competition and he gets limited chances in the hastily-arranged one-day competition.

The following season, when the tournament is played in Barbados, he is discarded by the Guyana selectors in spite of an innings of 160 in the trials.

He is demoted to the Nortel Development XI a side comprising reserves from each of the six territories but emerges as that side's leading run-scorer. Among his main scores was an even half-century against champions Barbados.

In 2000, Vishal, too, is unable to force his way into the Guyana youth team, and, like Krishna the previous year, he has to settle for playing in the Development XI line-up.

His peformances are nothing to shout about 159 runs (ave. 26.50) and 11 wickets (ave. 19.45) with his off-breaks.

The West Indies youth selection panel saw some potential and picked him in the regional squad that toured England last summer when he performed impressively.

At the start of this season's Busta Series, neither brother is in Guyana's 16-man squad.

Krishna is nominated for the West Indies 'B' team and scores a debut first-class century in only his second match.

He follows up with another half-century and five other scores in 30s or 40s on the way to 357 runs (ave. 35.70).

Vishal joined him in the team for the sixth round match against Guyana on home soil last week, but didn't make much of a contribution with the bat.

The series of events in successive seasons emphasises that these brothers have made the most of their opportunities.

By performing well in this tournament, I am hoping that next year, it will be easier for me to make the Guyana team, said Krishna, who remains modest about his achievements in the Busta Series.

This is not enough runs for me. I am accustomed to making big scores.

His string of 30s and 40s is attributed to a lack of concentration, but he has enjoyed the experience and the benefit of the guidance of captain Roland Holder.

He is doing a very good job. He is the best captain I have come across so far, Krishna said.

It was perhaps another coincidence but Vishal's first-class debut was against the land of his birth in a match in which both brothers were dismissed for the identical score 12.

When you play home, it is a lot of pressure, the younger Arjune said.

This is my second game. If I get in the side, I will try to do my best.

I have made up my mind to work hard and try and get a big score in this game.

He knows things won't be easy.

It is a higher level. You have to lift your game, Vishal said.

This is first-class cricket. You've got to perform to the best of your ability.

When Vishal went to England with the West Indies youth team last year, it was the first time he had left Guyana.

After early difficulties, he came into his own.

It was the first time I ever travelled. At first, it was cold, the ball swung a lot and I didn't do too well in the one-day matches, he said.

But I then went into the nets and worked on it. I found it easier coming towards the end of the tour.

In the second Test, he made 79 in a big partnership with Devon Smith, and in two of the minor matches he made 103 and 99 run out.

The Arjune boys hail from Unity Village on the east coast of Demerara, an area that has produced West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

They speak glowingly about the influence he has had on them.

If their level of determination is as much as his, we could be hearing of the Arjune brothers for some time.