CPL 2022: New Warrior Jermaine Blackwood already enjoying time with GAW

By Jemima Holmes

Even after 10 years of the “Biggest Party in Sport”, a number of “firsts” can still happen. For instance, 2022 may be the year that Guyana Amazon Warriors’ new addition, Jermaine Blackwood, gets the opportunity to play his first Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD.
Though he may not have been on the pitch, Blackwood is no stranger to the energetic crowds that pack the National Stadium to capacity; it is an aspect of the CPL he is eagerly looking forward to, as he hopes to make the most of his first year with the local franchise.

Thus far, Blackwood has found the ongoing Warriors camp to be a welcoming one. The batsman related exclusively to Guyana Times Sport, “It was good to hear or see that I got picked for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, my first time playing for GAW. To be honest, from yesterday, the first day that I got here, I can feel the togetherness with the team and the management staff.

“From the airport, I just felt that feeling like I’m at home, and that’s always good when you’re in an environment and you’re so comfortable already. I just can’t really wait to get the games on the way.
“It has been good. Today was a bit hot, humid, but the guys put in the work. We have some very young, good talent as well. So far, my first day was excellent,” he added about his first day in the GAW training camp.
Blackwood comes to the Guyana Amazon Warriors from the Jamaica Tallawahs, whom he last represented in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2020.
On the international scene, Blackwood has had a good year, especially in Test cricket, wherein he racked up two centuries and two fifties. Unbothered by the disparity in formats, Blackwood believes his aggressiveness with the bat would bode well in the T20 landscape.
“Well, it’s not going to be too hard for me to (transition) from Test match to T20 or T10, because I’m an aggressive player. Over the past few years, I haven’t been playing, like, any white-ball cricket, I’ve been playing a lot of Test cricket; and, you know, with Test cricket, you have to take your time and bat, but T20 is more fast-paced, and it’s going to be a nice turn around for me,” he told this publication.
Continuing, Blackwood said, “Also, I’m trying to establish myself in the T20 game as well, and, as a player, I just wanna do some special things for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and help them to the trophy this year.”
While admitting that he has never played a CPL game at Providence, this right-handed batsman is eagerly looking forward to the vibes and, most importantly, the fans.
“From (the time that) I got here yesterday, the taxi driver told me that the four games here sold out already; so that’s a massive thing for us as a team. You know, when you’re playing at your home, you want to get the full support and the full backing.
That’s going to be a big booster for me, because I like to play with fans in the stands so, you know, I can put on a good show for them,” the new GAW player explained.
Still on the topic of the “Warrior Nation” fans, he said, “The party stands and the entertainment here have always been great. Even if I’m not playing CPL, I always watch it, and I always see a lot of fun activities going on here when the game is playing, or even when the game is finished.”
Like most others, Blackwood is optimistic about this year’s CPL season, anticipating that he can bring something to the table that would get the Warriors over the line at home.
“I just get this feeling this year that this year is going to be the year for us to win this trophy. We always appreciate the support from the fans, and just looking forward for that same support this year,” Blackwood said.
The Hero CPL is scheduled for August 31st to September 30th 2022 in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. The Amazon Warriors will have four home games on September 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th, before the playoffs begin on September 27th.