Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The top four teams of the annual Raf’s Variety Store’s Hajjin Zeleena Rafeek Memorial countrywide Inter-Jamaat 10/10 knock out softball cricket tournament will compete on Sunday when the competition concludes with the semi-finals, third place playoff and final at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, Woolford Avenue.

The competition, organised by the MYO, will see defending champions MYO, Leonora, Cotton Tree and Fairfield battling for top honours on the final day of the fourth annual tournament.

MYO, a strong team with some good batsmen at the top and middle, will depend on Saheed Gittens, Richard Latiff, Zulficar Ali and Safraz Esau. The bowling however, is a great concern as has been evident throughout the tournament.

Taking part in the competition for the first time, Leonora Jamaat also boasts a strong and well-balanced team with some of the top softball players from West Demerara in the line-up, including the destructive Azad Azeez.

Cotton Tree of Berbice and Fairfield of Essequibo are the other two semi-finalists, making a grand showdown among the top four teams of the competition.

According to the organisers, all four teams are asked to assemble at the MYO ground on Sunday at 08:30 hours for the semi-finals draw. The two winners will clash in the final, set to start at 14:00 hours, while the two losing semi-finalists will meet in the third place playoff prior to the championship game.

The champion team will receive $300,000, while the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will pocket $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. All the cash prizes will be accompanied by trophies. Medals will also be given to the finalists.

There will be several individual awards at stake including Man-of-the-Match in the final ($5,000 and trophy), Man-of-the-Match in third place playoff (Trophy), Most runs in the competition (Bat and trophy), Most wickets in the competition (Trophy), Highest individual score (Bat and trophy) and Best bowling figures (Trophy).

First Published In The Guyana Times.

By CMC.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Convenor of selectors, Clive Lloyd, believes West Indies have a side capable of challenging at next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

West Indies last won a 50-over World Cup back in 1979 with Lloyd as captain but the former Guyana and Windies left-hander said he was encouraged by what he had seen so far from the players. 

“If you look at our side we have tremendous all-rounders, we have good spinners and we have batters that are just as good as any of the teams in the world,” Lloyd said here Thursday.

“Now we have a lot of one-day games before the World Cup, we’re hoping to get that momentum going and get the right combination before the World Cup comes around.”

At the last World Cup in India three years ago, West Indies did well to reach the quarter-finals before bowing out. India went on to win the title.

Next year, West Indies face tough competition when they do battle in Pool B against the likes of South Africa, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, in the tournament that runs from February 13th to March 28th.

Lloyd, who also presided over the Windies’ triumph in the inaugural tournament in 1975, only last month took up his new post as chief selector and hopes he can also meet with similar success in this role.

“I just want to see our cricket back on track, I want to see that respect for West Indies cricket again and with the youngsters we have I’m positive that can happen,” he said.

“It (West Indies) cricket has given me my upward mobility and I’m here because I love cricket and I love West Indies cricket and I want to see it rise again. I hope that in my last innings – because I’m in the homestretch – that I leave West Indies cricket in a healthy position.”

By CMC.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Skipper Anthony Adams led from the front with his 7 for 34, which saw the Guyana Cricket Board Developmental XI crumble for 128 in reply to Essequibo’s 232 just before lunch on the second day of their first round Guyana Cricket Board Inter-County four-day tournament at the Demerara Cricket Club ground yesterday.

However, his opposite number Steven Jacobs bowled a tidy line and length to grab 6 for 36, while Kemo Paul bowled with pace and aggression for his 3 for 40. Essequibo, who had a first-innings lead of 104, were bowled out for 163.

Needing to score 268 to record the win, the GCB Developmental XI reached 84 without loss at the close of play, with Shimron Hetmyer on 53 (7×4) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul 27 (2×4). Hetmyer posted his 50 from 70 deliveries and 73 minutes batting, with his seventh four struck off Royan Fredericks.

When play resumes today, the Steven Jacobs-led GCB Developmental XIt will look to score most, if not all of the 184 more runs required to secure the come-from-behind win.

Having dismissed their hosts early, Essequibo started their second innings disastrously when Royan Fredericks was bowled off the second ball without scoring, by Paul, who followed it up with the wicket of Ricardo Peters for 5, to leave the opposition on 20 for 2.

Ricardo Adams and Kevon Boodie added 48 for the third wicket, before Jacobs trapped the former lbw for 25 (4×4), while Boodie got back-to-back fours off Niall Smith, pushing the score to 78 for 3 and the lead to 182, but lost Mark Gonsalves (0) who was caught by a leaping Tagenarine Chanderpaul at short fine leg off Jacobs.

With Jacobs striking twice again for his team, with Boodie 47 (56 balls, 3×6; 2×4) who was dropped by Steven Sankar at extra cover off Paul when on 9 being one of them, Essequibo were 143 for 6 at tea, for an overall lead of 247 runs with Parmesh Parsotam on 47 and Anthony Adams 2.

After the break, the Developmental XI mopped up the tail to bowl out Essequibo for 163, as Jacobs removed Anthony Adams (10) and Mark Tyrell (6) to end with 6 for 36, while Paul knocked back the off-stump of Brian Herbert (2), as he ended with 3 for 40, with Parsotam being run-out in-between, when he attempted a cheeky single for the topscore of 48 (59 balls, 5×4; 1×6).

Earlier in the day, dubious umpiring decisions saw the Developmental XI slip from 91 for 2 to 94 for 6 within the first hour of play, after Shimron Hetmyer and Chandrapaul Hemraj commenced the day’s action on 60 for 1, with Hetmyer on 24 and Hemraj 15.

Hetmyer struck Fredericks for a four in the fourth over of the day’s play and Hemraj followed suit with back-to-back fours off Anthony Adams, pushing the score to 81 before Hemraj 29 (4×4) was bowled by Adams pushing forward to a straight delivery.

David Latchaya looked sound and confident, especially when he stroked Fredericks nonchalantly through extra cover for four to open his account, but was unfortunate to be given out lbw to one from Adams that struck him high on the thigh pad after pitching outside the leg stump.

Further disaster faced the Developmental XI, when Hetmyer, in his attempt to clear mid-wicket, picked out Peters off Hemchand Persaud, after posting 42 (83 balls, 1×4, 1×6) to leave his side on 93 for 4, a wicket that was followed quickly by the fall of Jacobs and Paul who both made 1, to hand Adams his fifth victim.

Yatesh Dhanpaul and Kemol Savory fought fire with fire for their team by hitting both Adams and Persaud for sixes over extra cover, with Dhanpaul’s maximum posting the 100 for his team, while he later struck Persaud over long off for another six before he was caught at deep cover by Peters three balls later off Persaud.

It moved from dangerous to worst for the Developmental side, when Kellon Carmichael was given out caught at the wicket by Boodie from an Adams delivery which pitched and left the batsman, without touching anything, before Adams wrapped up proceedings with the wicket off Steven Sankar (4), leaving Niall Smith unbeaten on 4.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Demerara resumed the day on 320 for 3, with Rajendra Chandrika on 138 and Christopher Barnwell 2 and saw two overs bowled before rain forced the players off the field.

When the action resumed Demerara lost Barnwell who was caught at the wicket off Royston Crandon for 25 (2×4) at 371 for 4, leaving Shemroy Barrington and Chandrika who had progressed to 166 at Barnwell’s demise, to push the score past the 400-run mark.

Barrington was next to go, caught by Devon Clements off Veerasammy Permaul for 11, while Berbice finally managed to remove Chandrika for 219 (363 balls, 24×4, 1×6) at 442 for 6, at which point Demerara declared their first innings closed, with Zaheer Mohammed unbeaten on 6.

National fast bowler Raun Johnson who took 4 for 68 was the best bowler for the Berbicians who, in their turn at the crease, reached 130 for 5 off 46.5 overs, when stumps were pulled with Jonathan Foo topscoring with 51 (122 balls, 5×4) before he was the last man out.

This was after his side lost Jason Sinclair (2), Clements (1), Crandon (7) and Kandasammy Surujnarine (22), to be 54 for 4, before Foo and Anthony Bramble who was unbeaten on 38 (85 balls, 6×4) at the close, added 76 for the fifth wicket, when bad light stop play at Foo’s demise.

When play resumes today, Berbice will need another 312 runs to avoid giving their opponents a first-innings lead.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The New Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40-over cricket competition resumed recently with several individual performance being the major highlight.

In the latest matches played, the batting performance of former Guyana T20 batting star Imran Khan, who slammed 110 for Chesney against Fyrish Road, was the major standout.

His knock, which included nine 4s and five 6s, helped his team to a score of 237-7 from their 30 overs. When Fyrish Road replied, they could only muster 163-7 in the 30 overs with medium-pacer Fazir Hussain taking 4-22 for Chesney.

Elsewhere, former Guyana Under-17 batsman Jamally Odle hit 88 (4x4s, 4x6s) for Tucber Park, who made just 136 all out against Police with Guyana Under-15 off-spinner Kevin Sinclair picking up 4-37.

When Police replied, Tucber Park off-spinner Keion DeJesus took 5-57, but a fighting 54 from Michael Campbell helped Police scrape home by one wicket. Half-centuries from Veerapen Permaul and Matthew Hardyal led Albion Community Centre to 246-8 against Belvedere Battle Steel, whose pacer Michael Sabader took 4-32. Battle Steel could only muster 121 in reply with off-spinner Asif Ally picking up 4-16 for Albion.

Vejai Persaud’s 53 steered Number 73 Cut and Load to a six-wicket victory over Number 71 B, who was bowled out for 189 with off-spinner Kader Ajib taking 4-36.

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

At Chesney: Chesney beat Fyrish Road by 74 runs. Chesney 237-7 from 30 overs (Imran Khan 110, Shastri Persaud 28, Aviskar Deonarine 25, William Dass 2-42) Fyrish Road 163-7 in 30 overs (Riaz Hamid 40, Fazir Bacchus 4-22, Reaz Ramcharran 2-34).

At Vryman’s Erven: Police beat Tucber Park by one wicket. Tucber Park 136 in 23.2 overs (Jamally Odle 88, Kevin Sinclair 4-37, Kwesi Mickle 2-9, Wayne Richards 2-17, Kellon Henry 2-22) Police 137-9 in 15.1 overs (Michael Campbell 54, Keion DeJesus 5-57).

At Albion: Albion Community Centre beat Belvedere Battle Steel by 125 runs. Albion Community Centre 246-8 in 40 overs (Veerapen Permaul 73, Matthew Hardyal 51, Michael Sabader 4-32) Belvedere Battle Steel 121 in 40 overs (Sudesh Veerapen 44, Asif Ally 4-16, Satesh Dookna 2-12).

At Number 72: Number 72 Cut and Load beat Number 71 B by six wickets. Number 71 B 189-7 in 25 overs (Ezam Ally 34, Imran Mohamed 42, Kader Ajib 4-36, Micahel Singh 2-56) Number 72 Cut and Load 193-4 in 22.3 overs (Verapen Persaud 53, Devanand Chatterpaul 37*, Imran Khan 30).

At Skeldon: Corriverton beat Skeldon Community Centre by 28 runs. Corriverton 192 in 39.4 overs (Anthony Seeraj 43, Errol Byass 31, Jeremy Moore 28, Robert Moore 4-26) Skeldon Community Centre 164 in 38.2 overs (Dwayne Edwards 41, Clavern Beresford 3-23, Victor Pedro 2-29, Faroud Bacchus 2-29).

At Bush Lot: Bush Lot Challengers beat Golden Elparabell by three runs. Bush Lot Challengers 155-8 in 39 overs (Fazal Hira 37, Kenroy Fraser 3-19, Delroy Wilson 2-23, Glenroy Fraser 2-20) Golden Elparabell 152-8 in 30 overs (Heeralall Darsan 2-14, Totaram Sookhna 2-30).

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - On Sunday September 28, the Lance Gibbs Street based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will be buzzing with activity from around 10:00 hours when the Club’s head coach Garvin Nedd host his ‘Birthday Bash’ at the venue.

The day’s activity will involve a bar-b-que, Kiddies cricket festival, Ladies Open and Men’s Over-40 softball and the young brigade of the club engaging each other in a match. The action will culminate at 1930 hour, with the specially organised T20 clash between a DCC XI and a Coach Nedd Rest Team.

Players of the caliber of skipper Travis Dowlin, Trevon Griffith, Christopher Barnwell, Jonathan Foo, Lennox Cush, former West Indies fast bowlers Reon King and Colin Stuart and current Guyana Cricket Board senior Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith will feature for the DCC XI.

Coach Nedd Rest XI will be led by Paul Wintz and will have within its ranks Steven Jacobs, Narsingh Deonarine, Kevon Boodie, Robin Bacchus, Ricardo Adams, Raj Nanan, Jermaine Neblett and Rajendra Chandrika.

National coach Esaun Crandon has been entrusted with such duties for the DCC XI and will have Ian John as the Manager, while Clive Grimmond will execute the duties of coach for Coach Nedd Rest Team, with Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis as the Manager.

Admission to the venue is $200, with drinks, bar-b-que and lots of refreshments on sale, while a Kid’s Corner will also be in place.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Ramchand and Rohan Auto Spares jointly sponsored softball cricket competition continued last weekend with several teams recording victories at the various venues.

Among the individual highlights was an outstanding century from Harrynarine Dilchan, whose knock powered Uprisers to a massive win over Brickery.

Below are the summarised scores from the games, which are also sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall, Romeo Oil Seal, Motor Trend, Bel Air Rubis, Ariel Enterprise and Nauth Motor Spares.

Uprisers defeated Brickery by 129 runs. Uprisers 249 all out (HarrynarineDilchan 114, Ricardo Latif 32, Fidel Singh 24, S. Ramdeen 4 for 31) Brickery 120 all out (S. Ramdeen 31, D. Ramdeen 4-17, Fidel Singh 3-15).

Bel Air Rubis defeated Wellman by 139 runs. Bel Air 217-6 off 20 overs (Krishna Ramnauth 59, Suresh Ramdin 43, Budhu 43, Grieg DeFranco 2-27, Tony Singh 2-52) Wellman 78 all out in 11.3 overs (De Franco 35, Baldeo Muller 4-11, Riyas Khan 4-15).

Frontliners Masters defeated Enterprise Legends by 24 runs. Frontliners 169 off 20 overs (Raymond Bisraj 55, Linden McKay 25, Seemangal Yadram 2-16, C. Singh 2-40) Enterprise 145 all out in 18.2 overs (R. Roopdeo 36, H. Hemraj 32, Gary McCoy 4-36, Lionel Persaud 2-27).

Floodlights defeated Industry Super Kings by 11 wickets. Industry 113 all out in 18.3 overs (Ishwar Persaud 46, S. Ramphal 25, Ramchand Ragbeer 3-20, Ramkellawan 2-8, Dharam Persaud 2-10, John Sumir 2-16) Floodlights 116-0 off nine overs (Patrick Khan 53*, Richard Persaud 38*).

Blue Divas defeated Sleepin Warriors by 66 runs. Blue Divas 154-5 off 10 overs (Gailann Stanford 59) Sleepin Warriors 88-5 off 10 overs (Rochell Eastman 43, Dianne Amos 2-8).

Trophy Stall Angels defeated Karibee Strikers by seven wickets. Karibee Strikers 119-9 off 10 overs (Trishane Cort 26, Nagma Budhoo 27, Anisa Persaud 3-21, Alicia Allen 2-26) Trophy Stall 121-3 (June Ogle 51*, Monica Seales 26*, Odessa O’niel 24).

Karibee Strikers defeated Blue Divas by 53 runs. Karibee Strikers 126-4 off 10 overs (Sherika Campbell 29, Nagma Budhoo 27) Blue Divas 73-8 off 10 overs (N. Budhoo 2-5).

Wellman defeated 4R Lioness by seven wickets. 4R Lioness 102-6 off 10 overs (Ruth George 47, Akase Thompson 25, Haseena Mohamed 3-18) Wellwoman 103-3 in 7.3 overs (Zola Telford 47, Joan Vansertima 20*).

Trophy Stall defeated Country Side by six wickets. Country Side 188 all out (Sakichan Jagdeo 55, Sachin Ramcharran 25) Trophy Stall 189-4 (Fazal Rafeek 64, Davendra Deosarran 39).

Slingers defeated Parika Defenders by seven wickets. Parika 158-6 off 20 overs (Orville Black 43, Jerome Basdeo 26) Slingers 159-4 in 17.5 overs (Fazal Rafeek 61, Malo Malone 30, Saffie 2-33).

Speedboat defeated Challengers by 49 runs. Speedboat 193 all out (Greig Singh 44, Dhaniram Ramnauth 2-20, Dianand Singh 2-25) Challenger 144 all out (D. Ramnauth 46, Greig Singh 4-18).

Regal defeated Warriors XI by 165 runs. Regal 257-5 off 20 overs (Navin Singh 88, Chien Gittens 51, Safraz Esau 43, D. Lakhan 2-37) Warriors XI 92 all out in 9.4 overs (R. Kumar 36, M. Arjune 4-12).

Regal Masters defeated Fishermen Masters by 26 runs. Regal 146-6 off 20 overs (Raymond Harper 38*, Tony Amerally 36, Danny Gangadin 2-12, K. Mohabir 2-42) Fishermen 120 all out in 18.5 overs (R. Kumar 42, P. Mohan 34, R. Harper 3-16, M. Arjune 2-18).

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Ramesh Thakur and Chandrika Persaud registered centuries as Wales CDC demolished New Winsor by 272 runs in the West Demerara Cricket Association 40-Over Cricket Competition, at the Wales Community Centre ground.

Wales CDC won the toss and elected to bat. The compiled a mammoth 407/7 in their 40 overs. Thakur slammed 114 and Chandrika Persaud smashed an even 100. The piar opened the batting and put together a 191 partnership. Also among the runs was Randy Yankhena with 66. New Winsor most successful bowler was Azad Ally with figures of 8-0-62-4.

In reply New Winsor was rattled for 135 all out in 27.2 overs. Neil McLean (26) and Hayde Bovell (22) were the significant scorers. The destroyers with the ball were Vishnu Sue with figures of 7-7-28-4 and Chandrika Persaud with 7-1-19-3

At Joe Viera Park, Independence ‘A’ defeated Sports Club by 38 runs. Batting first, Independence ‘A’ made 126 all out in 34.3 overs. Dean Samuels lead the way with 56 and got support from Devon Mohabir who made 30. Naresh Persaud was Sports Club best bowler with 6-0-24-2.

In response, Sports Club was bolwed out for 88 in 30.3 overs, with Paul Persaud top scoring with 28. Roy Benjamin and Mokesh Dhanpaul were the stars with the ball capturing 5/24 from 7.3 overs nad 4/16 from 6 overs respectively.

The competition continues on Sunday.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Following riveting action in the quarterfinals of the GUYTRAC 20/20 knockout cricket competition last Sunday afternoon, three teams are scheduled to compete for a place in the finals with one moving on to championship honours when action resumes at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex Ground (CSCG) tomorrow afternoon.

Skeldon tackle # 69 Red Rose in the eliminator at 10:00hrs while # 64 Fighting Marines await the outcome of that match to play the winner. The first encounter is expected to get underway at 10:00hrs with the finals commencing at 14:00hrs.

Meanwhile, when the action resumed last Sunday at the CSCG, # 69 Red Rose defeated # 48 challengers by 4 wickets in the first game, while  # 64 Fighting Marines replicated the feat against Springlands by 2 wickets.

No. 48 challengers batted first and were bowled out for 74 runs in 15.4 overs with the principal scorer, Brian Samaroo, contributing 15 runs and returning to take two wickets.

Bowling for # 69 Red Rose, Odesh  Seeram snared three wickets, while Tamesh Persaud, Cris Nourang and Dave Rampersaud took two wickets each. In reply # 69 Red Rose reached 77-6 in 17 overs with the best batsman, Peter Chaitram, contributing 27.

In the second qualifying game, the Fighting Marines demonstrated determination and grit to eke out a close two wickets win over Springlands with one delivery to spare. Springlands took first strike and scored a challenging 176 for 5 in 20 overs with Trishan Ramdass (47), Somdat Singh (33) and Deoprakash Ramdat (33*) making valuable contributions.  Steven Embrack was the best bowler and took 3 wickets for # 64 Fighting Marines with the former player returning to contribute 26 runs with the bat. That team then raced to 178-8 in 19.5 overs to win by two wickets and 1 ball to spare. Leonard Sandy lashed an even half century to pilot the fight back for the winners, while Davendra Budhoo supported with 29 runs.

Tomorrow’s encounters should be entertaining and admission is free. Music will be in attendance with a stocked food and drinks bar.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The National Cultural Centre Tarmac will soon be converted into a hive of activity when organizers of the Foreign Ministry Sports Promotion in collaboration with the Trophy Stall stage the Senior Secondary School 5 overs, Tapeball Cricket, Round Robin/Knockout competition commencing next Saturday, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.

The tournament will be staged in conjunction with celebrations for Education Month 2014 and would be contested on a round robin basis.

All matches will be played at the original venue and are scheduled for one week apart. Additional playing days are September 27, October 4 and the finals to be contested on Sunday October 5.

Already, several teams have registered and have been grouped with Charlestown Secondary, St John’s College and Lodge Secondary comprising Group A.

The other groupings are, Queen’s College, North Ruimveldt Secondary and Dolphin Secondary (Group B), St Mary’s High, South Ruimveldt Secondary and Dolphin Secondary (Group C), North Georgetown Secondary, Brickdam Secondary and Central High (Group D) East Ruimveldt Secondary, Tutorial High and Christ Church Secondary (Group E). The winner from each group advances to the knockout round.

The teams will be playing for the Trophy Stall Cup and medals, while the runners up will receive medals. There is also a special prize for the Most Valuable Player and the Man of the Tournament.

Activities are coordinated by James Lewis and all team managers are asked to make urgent contact with him on telephone #s 672-6179 or 666-5857.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The battle for supremacy in the Berbice Bridge Company first division 50-over knock-out cricket competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board will continue this weekend.

Today, the remaining first round match between GUYTRACK Upper Corentyne and Bush Lot Rising Star will be played at the No. 69 Ground.

Three second round matches are scheduled for tomorrow. West Berbice will play Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets at Bush Lot, West Berbice; Port Mourant takes on Police at Cumberland, while Albion Community Centre will play the winner of the first round match between GUYTRACK Upper Corentyne and Bush Lot Rising Star at Albion.

All matches are scheduled to start at 09:30hrs.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Jamaica Star article.

Kingston, Jamaica - The prospect of stylish middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels being named among the West Indies' squad for their upcoming tours of India and South Africa remains a distinct possibility, according to chief selector, Clive Lloyd.

Samuels, who was dropped from the West Indies team in June due to bad form, was subsequently overlooked for the recent tour by Bangladesh of the region.

The 33-years-old Jamaican, however, been training with members of the West Indies A team in Barbados ahead of that team's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, and, according to Lloyd, given his abilities, the recent Wisden Cricketer of The Year is under consideration.

"He (Samuels) has had a dip in performance where form is concerned, but I am sure that an in-form Marlon Samuels can win you a lot of games," said Lloyd.

"We therefore just have to get him back, and if we can get him back to as well as he has done in the past then I am sure it would be the best thing for our team."

The West Indies are scheduled to play three Tests, five one-day internationals, and a one-off Twenty20 on their tour of India.

They are then slated to travel to South Africa in December for three Tests, three Twenty20s and five one-dayers heading into the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.

First Published In The Jamaica Star.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Thanks to two century partnerships and patient batting, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Developmental XI rebounded from their miserable batting display in the first innings to defeat Essequibo by seven wickets at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, in their first round GCB Inter-county four-day tournament, yesterday.

Needing to score 268 to record a come from behind win, the Steven Jacobs led unit reached 271 for 4 off 75.1 overs, with a session and a day to spare, thanks to 85 from Shimron Hetmyer, 66 from Chandrapaul Hemraj and 51 from Jacobs, while Ricardo Peters picked up 2 for 16.

Hetmyer and Chanderpaul started things with their 137 runs first wicket partnership before Hetmyer was dismissed, while Jacobs and Hemraj added 106 for the third wicket, a stand that pushed their team to within 13 runs of victory before Jacobs departed.

Resuming on their overnight score of 84 without loss in search of 268 for victory, with Hetmyer on 52 and Chanderpaul 27, the GCB Developmental XI saw the pair posted the 100, when Hetmyer drove first innings destroyer Anthony Adams exquisitely past extra cover in the fourth over of the day.

The duo carried the score to 137, before Hetmyer was unfortunate to be given out for 85 (121 balls, 147mins, 11×4), caught at forward short-leg by Mark Gonsalves off Adams, who switched ends with Royan Fredericks.

Hemraj joined Chanderpaul who was on 42 and responded by hitting Adams back over his head for six, prompting a ball change in slightly overcast conditions, but Hetmyer was followed 15 minutes later by Chanderpaul.

The 18 year old steered a delivery he was looking to leave alone at the last moment, into the waiting hands of Royan Fredericks at slip off Hemchand Persaud at 149 for 2, with his contribution being 44 scored off 138 balls and 162 minutes of batting, in which he struck three fours.

At lunch, the Developmental XI were 179 for 2 off 53 overs, with Hemraj who also struck Persaud for two sixes in one over on 25 and Jacobs 9, as they scored 95 runs in the session for the loss of their two openers, while victory was 69 runs away.

After the break, Hemraj hit Adams for hattrick of fours in two overs, while Jacobs got two fours in the 58th over that was bowled by Fredericks, posting his team’s 200 with the first from 57.1 overs and the 50 partnership between the two.

Essequibo granted Jacobs a life, when Mark Tyrell grassed a diving opportunity at long on off Adams, when the right hander was on 42 at 225 for 2, before Jacobs got his half century off 67 balls in which he struck six fours while batting for 76 minutes, pushing his team closer to victory in the process.

Dutifully, Hemraj followed Hetmyer and Jacobs by posting his 50 from 91 balls which he faced whilst batting for 96 minutes, during which time he struck three fours and the same number of sixes, before Jacobs was bowled sweeping at Peters for 55 (88mins, 70 balls 6×4).

That ended Jacobs’ 106 runs third wicket partnership with Hemraj, who followed next, out hit wicket to Peters for 66 (108 balls, 118 minutes, 4×4, 4×6) with victory four runs away, which was achieved by David Latchaya (03) and Kemo Paul (06, 1×4), as Peters ended with 2 for 16.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Berbice resumed their first innings on 130 for 5 with Anthony Bramble on 38, in their quest to overhaul Demerara’s 442 for 6 declared, of which Rajendra Chandrika stroked 219 and Vishaul Singh 153.

However, despite Bramble going on to make 62 (138balls, 8×4) and Narsingh Deonarine 30 (59 balls, 3×4), with the pair adding 58 for the seventh wicket, Berbice folded for 218 off 72.1 overs. Paul Wintz (4 for 54), Zaheer Mohammed 2 for 29 and Christopher Barnwell 2 for 65, handed Demerara a mammoth 224 runs lead.

Demerara opted to bat a second time instead of enforcing the follow-on, and reached 107 for 3 at tea with Trevon Griffith on 54, after his side lost Robin Bacchus (03), Shemroy Barrington (01) and Barnwell for 36 (46 balls, 5×4).

Demerara lost Singh after the break, caught at the wicket by Bramble off Devon Clements for 17 at 154 for 4, following his 47 runs fourth wicket partnership with Griffith who moved into the 80s with two sweetly timed drives for four off Clements in his previous over.

Griffith posted his maiden ton at this level, when he drove Royston Crandon for his ninth four to finish unbeaten on 102, from 149 balls and 351 minutes batting, with nine fours. Demerara, then, declared their innings close at 186 for 5, setting Berbice 411 .

Deonarine led his team’s bowling with 3 for 43, while at the close of the penultimate day’s play, Berbice were 33 for 2, with Kandasammy Surujnarine (04) and Keon Joseph 08 their not out batsmen.

When play resumes at 09:30hrs today, Berbice will be looking to avoid being bowled out by their host, even as they look to accumulate the 378 more runs needed for victory on a track that is conducive for batting.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Guyana and West Indies history making middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul certainly did not disappoint the scores of people who turned up at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground on Friday night to watch him make his debut for Floodlight against Bel Air Rubis.

Batting first, Bel Air Rubis were plucked out for 174 all-out in their allotted 20 overs, setting up Floodlights to chase and Chanderpaul added his master-class touch to the game.

The 40 year-old Chanderpaul led his team’s chase with an entertaining knock of 75 and was supported by Patrick Khan (36) and Khalid Baksh who made an unbeaten 40.

Over on the other pitch, Mike’s Wellman defeated Parika Defenders by 14 runs. Mikes Wellman batting first made 198 and in reply Parika Defenders made 185 all out.

Apart from surpassing Sir Don Bradman’s 29 centuries, Chanderpaul is only the second West Indian, after former captain Clive Lloyd against Australia in 1984, to score a Test century aged 40 or more.

He is also only the second batsman to remain undefeated throughout a Test series having played a minimum of three innings and scored 200-plus runs. Jacques Kallis was the first to do so, against Zimbabwe in 2001.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - West Indies 300th Test player Leon Johnson said he was “a bit nervous initially” when he made his debut against Bangladesh in the second and final Test of the short series in St Lucia.

Playing in the West Indies 500th Test match, Johnson had scores of 66 and 41, to help the Caribbean side to a massive 296-run win for a clean sweep of the series, after they also won the opening match in St Vincent by 10 wickets.

During an interview with this publication on Saturday, Johnson, who was called up as a replacement for opener Chris Gayle, who opted out of the match to deal with a personal matter, said he was very enthused when he learnt that he would be playing in the final Test.

“I was very happy when I found out the night before that I would be in the starting XI; I sat in my room playing out several different scenarios in my head before I went to sleep. On the first morning I was a bit nervous initially, but as time went on I became more comfortable at the crease,” the 27-year-old Johnson pointed out.

The left-hander, who previously played three One Day Internationals back in 2008, explained his strategy facing the new ball in his first Test, after batting in the middle-order all his career for Guyana and West Indies A.

“I just wanted to bat pass the first 10 overs and assess [the situation] after that. There was always going to be movement for the bowlers first up because of the wind, the greenness [of the pitch] and the moisture in the wicket,” he stated.

In the first innings, Johnson and Kraigg Brathwaite added 143 to lay the foundation for a winning total of 380, before they consolidated West Indies position in the second innings by adding a solid 76 for the first wicket.

Johnson was given out leg before for 66 to Taijul Islam, but was late in asking for the review. As television replays suggested, the umpires erred in the decision, thereby denying Johnson the possibility of scoring a hundred on debut.

“Yes I was disappointed [with the decision]. I was a bit slow in calling for the review because I wasn’t sure about my position,” Johnson said.

The former West Indies Under-19 captain has been a seasoned campaigner for Guyana, appearing in his first First-Class game at the tender age of 16. In 51 games, Johnson has amassed 2,861 runs with two hundreds and 20 fifties at an average of 33.65.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Queenstown based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) is expected to come alive on September 28 when the Club’s head coach Garvin Nedd host a T20 game.

The day’s activities which will commence at 10:00 hrs will also involve a bar-b-que, Kiddy cricket Festival, Ladies Open and Men Over-40 softball and the young brigade of the club engaging each other in a match, with the action culminating at 19:30hrs, with the specially organized T20 clash between a DCC XI and a Rest Team.

Players in the caliber of skipper Travis Dowlin, Trevon Griffith, Christopher Barnwell, Jonathan Foo, Lennox Cush, former West Indies fast bowlers Reon King and Colin Stuart and current Guyana Cricket Board senior Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith will feature for the DCC XI.

The Rest XI will be led by Paul Wintz and will have within its ranks, Steven Jacobs, Narsingh Deonarine, Kevon Boodie, Robin Bacchus, Ricardo Adams, Raj Nannan, Jermaine Neblett and Rajendra Chandrika.

National coach Esuan Crandon has been entrusted with such duties for the DCC XI and will have Ian John as the Manager, while Rest Team will be coached by Clive Grimmond with Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis as the Manager.

Admission to the venue is $200, with drinks, bar-b-que and lots of refreshments on sale, while a Kid’s Corner will also be in place.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Good Success and Zeelandia recorded victories when the Badri Prasad Memorial T20 tournament continued last Sunday in Wakenaam.

Good Success defeated Maria’s Pleasure by eight wickets at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Batting first, Maria’s Pleasure were skittled for 45 in 11.4 overs. Bernard Lewis made 17 as off spinner Nazeer Mohamed grabbed 3-2, medium pacer Wazir Khan 2-8 and Chandrika Ragnauth 2-12. Good Success knocked of the required target in 6.2 overs, ending on 46-2. Jaggernauth Manbodh led with 21 while Khan made 15. Lewis took 1-18.

In the second game at the said venue, Zeelandia overcame Noitgedacht SC by seven wickets. Noitgedacht took first strike and scored 153 all out in 19.5 overs. Curtis Clementson cracked 61 and Dillon Retemiah 33. Harry Sukar picked up 3-35, Darmindra Pooran 2-20 and Ajay Ghansam 2-30.

Zeelandia replied with 154-3 in 18.2 overs. Navishaul Pooran stroked 67 and Sukar supported with 33 not out. Curtis and Retemiah took one wicket each.

Good Success will take on Zeelandia and Sans Souci will play Noitgedacht in the semifinals today at the said venue.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Thanks to a resilient and unbeaten century from opener Kandasammy Surujnarine, Berbice were able to come away with a draw in their first-round Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-day Inter-county tournament fixture against Demerara at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Scores in the match, Demerara 442 for 6 decl. and 186 for 5 decl.; Berbice 218 and 304 for 5.

Resuming on their overnight score of 33 for 2 with Surujnarine on 4 and Keon Joseph 8, Berbice saw the duo take their overnight third-wicket partnership to 64, before Joseph was caught by Shemroy Barrington off Paul Wintz for 27 which included three fours.

Surujnarine and Crandon took the score to 129 for 3 at lunch, with Surujnarine on 60 and Crandon 13 and after the break, Crandon posted his half-century from 45 balls, batting for 102 minutes during which time he struck five fours and two sixes, both off Amir Khan.

A slight drizzle forced the players and umpires off the field at 13:20hrs, after Crandon had executed a crisp back drive that sped away for four off Robin Bacchus. Berbice were 208 for 3, with Surujnarine on 88 and Crandon 64, with their team needing 203 more to record the win.

When play resumed, Crandon got a life on 65, by Barrington, who grassed one at first slip when Barnwell found the edge of Crandon’s Stonehill branded bat, with Berbice 213 for 3, before rain forced the players off the field for a second time at 221 for 3 – Surujnarine 93 and Crandon 65.

Kandasammy got to his century when the action resumed from 195 balls in which he struck 12 fours and three sixes while batting for 310 minutes, before he lost Crandon, who holed out to Vishal Singh at midwicket off Zaheer Mohamed at 252 for 4.

Crandon, who was given several lives by the Demerara fieldsmen prior to his dismissal, faced 99 balls, batted for 206 minutes and struck eight fours and three sixes in his 88, adding 163 for the fourth wicket with Surujnarine, who also saw the demise of Jonathan Foo (9), caught by Paul Wintz at long off, off Mohammed.

When play was called off with four of the mandatory 15 overs being bowled in the final hour’s play, Berbice were 304 for 5 off 89 overs, still needing 107 more to win with Surujnarine on 132 (273 balls, 12×4, 3×6) and Anthony Bramble 14 (1×4). Mohammed was Demerara’s best bowler with his 2 for 58.

The second round will bowl off on Wednesday with Demerara taking on the Steven Jacobs-led GCB Developmental XI who defeated Essequibo inside three days in their first-round match, at Everest, while Berbice and Essequibo will do battle at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Captain of the East Coast Cricket Club Krishna Deosaran has expressed deep confidence of his team overwhelming Caribbean Sensation on Saturday when the two teams square off in the East End’s Divisional final at Ashtonbee from 09:00 am.

The elegant left-hander related that once his side plays to its true potential, they are capable of retaining this end’s championship for three years in succession.

According to the former Guyana under-19 batsman, the side is loaded with experience and there is a mixture of talent and ability to produce quality performances at this crucial stage.

Their preparations are also intense and more importantly they have shown great eagerness to get the better of their opponents and by extension to emerge as the 2014 grand champions.

“Yes, definitely we [are] confident of beating Caribbean Sensation; every team is good and looking forward to win the tournament but I think with the way we playing, we have a great chance of being the victorious side,” the 26-year-old Lusignan Sports Club cricketer stated.

He further mentioned that his team has a good reputation in the League so far over the years and they still have a great opportunity to maintain it again on Saturday and if they win on Sunday at the grand finale.

“We have been playing positive and competitive throughout the season; our batsmen in great form, the bowling on top and our fielding is also brilliant so every player is just confident of winning the game,” an enthusiastic Deosaran explained.

Deosaran, who is still aspiring to represent his native country at the highest level, enjoys his stint to date having plying his trade in North America for the fifth consecutive year.

He is leading the side for the first time though and feels the challenge is not enormous and that gives him the impetus to take up the responsibility in a more efficient manner.

The former Vikings Cricket Club batsman has shown consistency with bat too having chalked up five half-centuries and anxiously looking forward to churn out another excellent batting performance which can be vital for his team.

Meanwhile, some of the players who have come in for recognition are Rakesh Dyal, who has been inspiring on the field while Krishna’s cousin Surujpaul Deosaran who is in prolific form as well in his debut season as he notched up a hundred recently.

Former Guyana under-19 player and ex-Canada international cricketer Eion Katchay is also among the top teammates and according to Krishna, Katchay has brought a new dimension to the squad with his wealth of experience, his versatility on the field and his motivational presence too.

“As I said everyone is playing his part in the team; the batting is always centred around me, Surujpaul, Eion, Rakesh, Mark and Ray Moosai (brothers) among others while the bowling has been penetrative with Fizul Haniff, Andy and Anil Persaud (unrelated) as well,” Deosaran divulged via telephone from his home in Scarborough, approximately 26 KM North of Toronto.

In the West End’s final, Dant, one of the hot favourites to win the grand final trophy, will take on Masters at the same venue but on a different pitch at the same time.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - At 40 years of age, dependable West Indies middle- order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s appetite to score has grown tremendously, that he has now passed the lat Sir Donald Bradman on the all time list of Test centuries, having chalked up his 30th Test ton against Bangladesh in the second and final Dhaka Bank Test match which was played in St. Kitts recently.

While he possesses the crabbiest technique in world cricket, at age 40 he is still dominating the game and his most recent Test innings saw him become the first 40-year-old to score a Test century since Graham Gooch 20 years ago, and the first West Indian to do so since Clive Lloyd.

More appropriate for Chanderpaul, is that he did it during the playing of the 500th Test match for the West Indies in which they capped their 300th player in Chanderpaul’s Georgetown Cricket Club teammate, Leon Johnson.

The phenomenal Guyanese has had an unbelievable run against Bangladesh, counting scores of 59 not out, 203 not out, 1, 150 not out, 85 not out, 84 not out and 101 not out, which gives him an average of 682 against them in the last two series.

To this end, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. wishes to join with all the other entities in extending heartfelt congratulations to Chanderpaul on his recent feats in the Test arena, even as the GSCL Inc., their executives and affiliated teams wish Chanderpaul all the best for the future.

“Chanderpaul’s feats against Bangladesh were certainly heroics in more ways than one, as it not only help the West Indies to win the match, but also give them a morale boosting series victory over the Bangladeshis, ahead of their tough engagement against India, where he can attempt to surpass Brian Lara’s record” added the GSCL Inc. via a press release.

To date, Chanderpaul has played 158 Test matches and scored 11,684 runs at an average of 53.10, with 30 centuries and 65 half centuries, which puts him above Australian greats Steve Waugh and Allan Border on the all-time run-scorers list, and one ahead of Sir Donald Bradman in terms of hundreds scored.

“Thanks Shiv, you truly are a ‘Tiger’ on the prowl for runs on the cricket field and while the world rejoice at your feats as you entertained them from series to series whilst playing for the West Indies, we at the GSCL Inc. feel pleased to call you our own, since you are a son of the soil.”

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Blairmont Community Centre won their last Zone A (West Berbice) preliminary match against Bush Lot New Generation to end unbeaten and came away clear winners of that zone, thus advancing to the quarterfinals of this year’s Berbice Cricket Board/Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50-overs competition.

In that match, Bush Lot made a fairly challenging 185 all out in 35 overs, thanks mainly to Navendra Mahadeo who made 56 (8×4) as leg spinner Chandradatt Veersammy picked up 4 for 32 for Blairmont, who in reply made light work of the target to win by four wickets with 18 overs to spare.

In another match that was played in the same zone, Berbice Under-19 pacer Renison Mitchell took 5 for 11 to help Achievers ‘A’ bowl out D’Edward for a paltry 55, before he returned with the bat to hit an unbeaten 24 to lead his side to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

In scores from the matches played; At Bush Lot, Bush Lot New Generation 185 in 35 overs Navendra Mahadeo 56 and Terry Dhanraj 33. Rameshwar Somwaru 3 for 20 and Chandradatt Veersammy 3 for 32, BCC 187 for 6 in 32 overs, Shamar Flatts 32 and Veersammy 28; Akeem Miller 2 for 20.

At D’Edward, D’Edward 55 in 14 overs; Richard Braithwaite 29, Renison Mitchell 5 for 11 and Grisean Grant 2 for 5, Achievers ‘A’ 56 for 2 in 8.1 overs, Mitchell 24 not out.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.