Exclusive: The Suspension of Sean Devers

The on-air career of Sean Devers, one of the hottest young stars on the ball-by-ball commentary circuit, remained in limbo this week after a run-in with angry officials of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has left him begging for a second chance.

Devers was removed from the Guyana commentary team for the sixth round match against the West Indies 'B' team at Bourda because of his perceived anti-GCB stance on a prior broadcast.

Insiders say GCB secretary Bish Panday, who also serves as a director of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), demanded the immediate suspension of Devers because of the way he (Devers) handled an on-air interview with Basil Butcher, a critic of the operations of the local cricket board.

Butcher, the former West Indies middle order batsman, is currently embroiled in a controversy with executives of the GCB. Many believe Butcher was railroaded in the recent executive elections and his appearance on the broadcast as a guest of Devers surely rankled the GCB hierarchy.

Devers, who has had prior run-ins with the management of the radio station, also did himself no favours with his public criticism of plans to cut off the radio commentary on the final day of the nail biting game against Trinidad, when Guyana was chasing 150 for victory.

At that time, GBC threatened to cut off the broadcast because it did not have the required sponsorship. During the wild run-chase, Devers announced the broadcast would cut off at the most exciting time and pleaded with the radio station to cut the losses in the interest of the game.

Panday, sources say, was furious at that stance by Devers and immediately demanded he be silenced.

Devers, who has won widespread applause for the meticulous way he presents statistical arguments and facts during ball-by-ball commentary, has not enjoyed the best of relationships with his employers at the radio station. A recent incident in St Vincent left a sour taste in the mouths of the GBC management.

Inside sources say fellow commentator Allan Bazilio was accredited and chosen to represent GBC on the commentary team for the St Vincent game but Devers arrived on the island first and wormed his way onto the panel and refused to budge.

To accommodate them both, the St Vincent management allowed Devers and Bazilio to share the ball-by-ball commentary (two days each).

"The thing that really upset them is that Margaret Lawrence, Basil Persaud (sports
editor), Mark Bhagwandin and Ossie Goodman (GM) all informed Devers before he left that Allan would be going to St. Vincent. I believe they held a meeting with him concerning that matter. And he still went to St Vincent and demanded a place," one insider explained.

Now, Devers finds himself on the outside looking in. Sources say he is scheduled to meet with GBC management to attempt to settle the issue but, unless Devers watches his words (and thoughts) carefully, his fledgling career could end before it even begins.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: Efforts to contact Sean Devers via e-mail were unsuccessful.