Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Rubis Guyana, on Thursday confirmed its partnership with organisers of the Guyana Softball Cup 4, presenting its sponsorship package to representatives of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

At a simple function at its Bel Air location, Retail Accounts Executive, Rhonda Johnson, handed over the entity’s contribution to the tournament to president of the GFSCA, Ramchand Ragbeer, under the TOTAL brand.

Johnson said Rubis Guyana is pleased to once again align itself with the country’s premier softball tournament, nothing that her establishment is looking forward to three days of competitive cricket, starting today.

Ragbeer said the GFSCA welcomes the kind gesture by corporate Guyana, adding that a tournament of the magnitude of Guyana Softball Cup requires the support of sponsors. He said Rubis Guyana is one of many businesses that have thrown their weight behind this year’s competition.

Guyana Softball Cup 4 will bowl off today and conclude on Sunday, with rivalry in the Men’s Open and Masters. A total of 24 teams from Guyana and North America are set to compete for lucrative prizes.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Indebted to an unbeaten half-century from opener Ricardo Adams along with innocuous shot selection from a few Regal XI players, Wolf Warriors came away trumps with the top prize when the curtain came down on this year’s Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) ‘Guyana Cup 4’ last Sunday night at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

In the Masters category, Floodlights XI were too good for Savage Masters, defeating them by 27 runs thanks to Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series Younis Yusuf’s half-century which led them to 180 for 6. Savage Masters were limited to 153 for 8 in reply.

In the Open final, Regal XI, as they had done throughout the tournament won the toss and without hesitation inserted Wolf Warriors who had lost to Trophy Stall by nine wickets in last year’s final, to take first strike, following which Adams and his skipper Amit Rai added 78 for the first wicket.

Following the demise of Rai for 31 (4×4), Adams was joined by the hard-hitting Safraz Karim 37 4×6) with whom he added an additional 48 for the second wicket, setting the foundation for Wolf Warriors to post 166 for 6 off their 20 overs, with Adams hitting an unbeaten 53 (3×4, 1×6).

Fazal Rafeek and Sewchand Budhu took 2 wickets each for 39 and 42 runs respectively for Regal XI, who in their turn at the wicket, were coasting at 87 for 2 in the 11th over, when the lights on four of the six pillions went out, causing a 20-minute delay in the action.

When the action resumed, Chien Gittens struck the final ball of the over bowled by Vishnu Tamenchandra, over midwicket for six, before he was caught at the wicket by Rai off Azim Nizamudin, who watched as Regal XI skipper Richard Latiff was bowled first ball by Narine Bailey without scoring, as he looked to sweep, leaving his side precariously placed on 119 for 5.

Despite some hitting from Patrick Rooplall (30), Safraz Esau (18) and an unbeaten 17 from Rafiek, Regal XI failed to overhaul their target of 167, and were bowled out for 163 with one ball to go in the final over, as Bailey, Nizamudin and Tamenchandra took 2 wickets each for Wolf Warriors.

In the Masters category, Floodlights XI were asked to bat first and, led by Yusuf’s 62 (4×6, 3×4), 45 (4×6, 1×4) from Imtiaz Mohammed and 27 (2×4, 1×6) from Wayne Jones, scored 180 for 6 off their 20 overs, with R. Samaroo taking 3 for 30 for Savage Masters.

Even though R. Camacho struck four fours and two sixes in his 64 and N. Baksh had a similar number of sixes but one four in his 24, Savage Masters struggled against the bowling of Yusuf who took 2 for 25 and R. Singh 2 for 35 and were limited to 153 for 8.

For their win, Wolf Warriors took home $800 000 and a trophy along with an extra $200 000 that was given to them with the compliments of Zaheeda Hack, Yusuf was named Man-of-the-Series in the Masters category and Lennox Marks of Farm XI, the Man-of-the-Series in the Open category for which they both received a 14-carat diamond-studded gold band.

The female exhibition contest was awarded to defending champions Trophy Stall Angels, who were engaging Mike’s Wellwoman in the final after they both defeated Karibee Rice Strikers and 4R Lioness in their respective semifinal matches and had the final interrupted for reasons unknown.

Other individual trophies went to Yusuf, Jagdesh Persaud and Marks for their individual centuries while Tamenchandra, Amit Moonsammy and Rohit Dutchin were rewarded for their five-wicket hauls.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - According to chairman of selectors within Cricket Guy Inc. Rayon Griffith, improvements within the physical aspect of the players currently undergoing preparations for the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League which bowls off next weekend, are going great.

Griffith, a former national fast bowler told Chronicle Sport in an invited comment yesterday that Barbados all-rounder Raymond Reifer, who is the lone foreign player in the Guyana Jaguars lineup, arrived in the country last Saturday and is gelling well with the players.

“I am not surprised that he is getting along fine with the players, since they would have shared a relationship whenever Guyana and Barbados would have played in previous tournaments,” said Griffith after another intense physical fitness session with the players.

Rain over the past two days prevented the management team from doing cricket-related work on the field but with the availability of the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence indoor facility at LBI, the players underwent more rigorous core and physical fitness sessions under the eyes of Griffith, Esaun Crandon and his assistants Michael Franco-Hyles, Albert Smith and Clive Grimmond.

“For the past two days, our plans were affected by rain, something we have no control over. However, we used the indoor facility to do more core work, while coaches Hyles and Smith also passed on some knowledge of the game to the players as it relates to classroom exercise,” said Griffith.

Quizzed on the importance of classroom exercises at a time when an important competition is around the corner, Griffith said, “We feel that after the 2006 Stanford Championship winning team, a fresh breed of players were introduced to Guyana’s cricket, before the older folks were able to pass on their knowledge, so we thought it wise to introduce classroom exercises in our preparations.

“You may be puzzled at this, but the players are all eager to learn both on and off the field and with those two fine gentlemen in Albert Smith and Michael Franco-Hyles willing to impart their knowledge, pros and cons of the game to their young minds, the sessions are healthy and positive.”

He said the executives within Cricket Guy Inc. are throwing their full and unwavering support behind the plans and preparations for the team and as it stands now, with a btt more work on some players in the fitness area, the Guyana Jaguars will certainly be a force to be reckoned with when the action bowls off next Friday.

Meanwhile, the second and final practice match will be held from today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and will run until Friday, with Singh’s XI who won the first game by scoring 336 for 8 when given a second-innings target of 334, to record a come-fro-behind victory.

It is not certain which side Reifer will be on, since Cricket Guy Inc. had not issued a press release as it relates to the two teams for this contest, but listed below is a list of the players and their respective teams for the first practice game.

Teams read:

Johnson’s XI: Leon Johnson (captain), Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble (wkp.), Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Paul Wintz, Keon Joseph, Kemol Savory (wkp.), Jonathan Foo, Robin Bacchus and Chanderpaul Hemraj.

Singh’s XI: Vishaul Singh (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Royston Crandon, Ricardo Adams, Steven Jacobs, Kemo Paul, Amir Khan, Anthony Adams, Raun Johnson, Jeremy Gordon, Jason Sinclair (wkp.), Kevon Boodie(wkp.) and Raj Nannan.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Universal Solutions Bermine have qualified for the final of the Carib Beer T20 first division cricket competition, with a three-run win over Young Warriors.

The semi-final was played on Sunday at the Port Mourant ground. By virtue of the win, Universal Solutions Bermine will meet defending champions Albion Community Centre in the final this Sunday under lights at Albion.

After invited to bat first on a two pace wicket, Universal Solutions Bermine put together a defendable total of 151-8 in their 20 overs.

Keion DeJesus top scored with 32. Devon Clements (29), Romario Shepherd (29), Damien Vantull (19) and fifteen apiece from Akeem Hinds and Joemal LaFleur, were the other batsmen to reached double figures.

Former national T20 star Imran Khan (3-5) and Kasim Khan (2-22), were the most successful bowlers for Young Warriors.

It was then an authoritative bowling display from Bermine as they restricted Young Warriors to 148-6.

Shepherd (2-18), Steven Latcha (2-29) and Jeremy Gordon (1-34) kept the Warriors batting under tight check.

Seon Hetmyer, a former national youth batsman and current Berbice player and his brother, prolific Young West Indies and senior national opener Shimron Hetmyer were not in a mood to delay the proceedings as they tore apart the Bermine bowlers with some clean hitting.

However, after added 65 in 9.2 overs, Shepherd removed Shimron for 33, while Latcha accounted for Seon for 36.

Kevin Ramdeen (16) and Ishwar Singh (21) were the only two other batsmen to offered any sort of resistance.

The battle for third place between Young Warriors and West Berbice will begin at 13:30hrs also on Sunday prior to the final.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Majority of the fifteen contracted players attached to the Guyana Jaguars have signed their retainer first-class contract, and according to GCB Territorial Developmental Officer, who is now attached to Cricket Guy Inc, Colin Stuart, the response from the players regarding the contract is favorable.

Stuart insisted on Monday that apart from Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and Ronsford Beaton (West Indies ‘A’ team duties), the remaining contracts will be signed by Friday.

“As we speak the contracts were handed out to the twelve available players for them to pursue the document. A number of them have already signed, and I am confident those who are available here will do so by Friday,” Stuart stressed.

The former Guyana and West Indies fast bowler also noted that none of the players available have raised any issues about the contracts stating: “There has been no indication from anybody that they don’t want to sign or any issue was raise regarding the contract”.

The Professional Cricket League (PCL) guarantees a player an annual income of between US$15,600 and US$36,000. This is in addition to match fees and prize monies.

In addition to the annual income, players can earn up to US$13,000 in match fees if they play in all ten Regional four-day matches and up US$4,900 in fees for the full season of the NAGICO Super50 (seven matches).

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has roll out a full Professional First Class Franchise System in which a cadre of 90 players will be engaged in a professional cricket structure on a day-to-day basis, year round.

Each franchise has retained fifteen players who will work as a unit on a day-to-day basis in each territory under a Head Coach and support staff.

The six franchises will be based in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands. Each franchise will receive a monthly stipend of US$45,000.

The contract players are: Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Narsingh Deonarine, Trevon Griffith, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Rajendra Chandrika, Paul Wintz, Vishaul Singh and Raymod Reifer.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Following a break in the organising of softball cricket in Georgetown, due to the playing of several tournaments including the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association ‘Guyana Cup IV’, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc., is back at it again.

The GSCL Inc. Organising Committee, led by the hard-working Samuel Kingston, has organised a President’s Cup T20 competition using the big ball, with the aim of keeping softball teams affiliated to the League active year round.

The upcoming GSCL Inc. President’s Cup will be facilitating the first six teams in the Open and Over-45 category to register, with the entrance fee set at $50 000 per team in each category, while the winning prizes will be $300 000 for first place and $100 000 for second in both categories, along with trophies.

According to Kingston, the closing date for entrance fee is Monday, November 10, with the launching and drawing of the tournament taking place two days later, at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports Club on Woolford Avenue.

The playing dates for the tournament are Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16 for preliminary round matches, while the finals for both categories will be held on Saturday, November 22, at a venue to be named, along with a female exhibition clash.

Grounds identified to be used for this competition so far are GNIC, Demerara Cricket Club, Queen’s College and Georgetown Cricket Club and all interested teams are asked to note that the first six teams to register in both categories will be eligible to play in the tournament.

Apart from the above-mentioned prizes, the Man-of-the-Match in the two finals will also receive trophies. Interested teams can contact Kingston on 614-9536 as soon as possible.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Along with some control of left-arm spin from Veerasammy Permaul, teenaged opener Shimron Hetmyer and middle-order batsman Royston Crandon fashioned well-played innings for Singh’s XI on the first day of their second four-day practice match at the Guyana National Stadium, yesterday.

Hetmyer made an even century while Crandon contributed 96 as Singh’s XI, who won the toss and chose to bat first, reached 311 for 5 at the close of play with Chandrapaul Hemraj, who struck Permaul for two sixes over midwicket, on 39 and Ricardo Adams yet to score, even as Permaul has so far taken 5 for 74.

At lunch, Singh’s XI were 76 for 1 having lost the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul (16) lbw to Permaul at 40 for 1, even as Shimron Hetmyer and Kandasammy Surujnarine took them to the break without further loss, with Hetmyer on 39 and Surujnarine 13.

After the break, the duo increased their second-wicket partnership to 63, before Surujnarine was bowled by Permaul for 44 (7×4), followed by his skipper Vishaul Singh, who failed to negotiate one from Permaul and was palpably struck lbw for 4 at 113 for 3.

Hetmyer got to his 50 before tea, counting six fours and a six off Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, celebrating same with an audacious drive for his seventh four off Keon Joseph, who bowled a tidy line and length along with Raymond Reifer in sultry conditions, but went wicketless.

Royston Crandon joined the boundary-hitting act with two fours back over the head of Motie-Kanhai even as Singh’s XI missed the chance to dismiss Hetmyer via run-out and at tea Singh’s XI were 198 for 3 off 55 overs with Hetmyer on 79 and Crandon 49.

After tea, Hetmyer struck Christopher Barnwell for three fours in one over, as he posted his ton which was decorated with 12 fours and one six, before he gifted his wicket away without any addition to his score, at 232 for 4, adding 119 for the fourth wicket with Crandon.

Crandon was joined by Hemraj, who proceeded to increase the runs that were there before, with Hemraj hitting the two sixes off Permaul, even as Crandon got three fours, two of them off Barnwell, inching closer to his century in the process.

A streaky four by Crandon through the slip cordon off Keon Joseph, who bowled the second new ball in tandem with Reifer, posted the 300 for Singh’s XI, before an arm ball from Permaul knocked back Crandon’s off-stump, four short of a 100 at 306 for 5, with Crandon hitting 12 fours in his 96.

He was quickly followed by Steven Jacobs, who was lbw without scoring three balls after Crandon departed, leaving Adams and Hemraj to negotiate the remaining overs to the close of play.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Springlands and Albion Community Centre have advanced to the play-offs of the Berbice Cricket Board sponsored New Building Society Limited second division 40 over cricket competition.

Springlands defeated No 71 ‘B’ to emerge as the top team of Zone O (Upper Corentyne/Central), while Albion Community Centre won their final Zone J (Lower Corentyne/Central) preliminary match to remain undefeated in that zone.

See below summerised scores from the recent matches played:  

At No 71, Springlands beat No 71 ‘B’ by 267 runs. Springlands 369-5 in 25. (Trishan Ramdass 131, Deoprakash Ramdat 57, Soomdat Singh 44, Michael Kendall 35). No 71 B 102 in 11.5 overs. (George McCalman 5-22, Wayne Garnett 4-36).

At Albion, Albion Community Center beat Tamarind Root by 80 runs. Albion Community Center 174-5 in 35 overs. (Verapen Permaul 65, Adrian Sukhwa 39, Ritesh Umroa 25, Dilip Ramsammy 3-25, Adrian Singh 2-46). Tamarind Root 94 in 26.3 overs. (Asif Abrahim 28, Suruj Dookna 4-18, Satesh Dwarka 3-23).

At Bush Lot in West Berbice, Bush Lot Challengers beat Bush Lot United by 26 runs. Bush Lot Challenger 188 in 29.5 overs. (Asgar Matabeek 64, Asif Khan 43, Winston Joseph 4-24, Navendra Mahadeo 2-15, Gerald Moonsammy 2-25). Bush Lot United 162 in 30 overs with Terrence Dhanraj 33, Shawn Smith 31, Fizal Hera 5-33).

At Fyrish, Fyrish beat No 1 Road by 141 runs. Fyrish 264 in 35 overs. (Yuvindra Chinapen 54, Javed Mohamed 35, Munilall Shivdyal 26). No 1 Road 123 in 20 overs. (Shivdyal 5-25).

At No 70, Corriverton beat No 70 Young Star by 94 runs. Corriverton 240 in 38 overs. (Eric Phillips 46, Anthony Seeraj 39 Jeremy Moore 35, Imran Jabbar 26, Alim Haniff 3-29, Thameshwar Kumar 2-48). No 70 Young Star 146 in 28 overs. (Alim Hanif 25, Eric Phillips 4-9, Jermain Reid 3- 25, Faoud Bacchus 2-38).

At Rose Hall Town, Tamarind Root beat Rose Hall Town Guns and Cannons by eight wickets. Rose Hall Town Guns and Cannons 71 in 23.2 overs. Dilip Rengasammy 3-7.) Tamarind Root 72 for 2 in 11 overs.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Rose Hall Town Pepsi were handed a shock three-wicket defeat at the hands of their neighbours Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) when the two sides met in a Berbice Cricket Board, Elizabeth Styles Under-19 limited overs contest last Saturday.

In the match that was played at the PMCC ground and reduced to 43 overs aside, RHT Pepsi won toss and chose to bat first, making 215-9 off their allotted overs. Ashkay Homraj led the way with 75 (3x4s, 1×6), while Bhaskar Yadram made 52, that included nine fours, Brandon Prashad scored 46 (3x4s).

Samuel Kishnasammy took 3-35 and Arif Chan 2-43 for PMCC, who in reply, scored 216-7 off 42.5 overs. They were led to victory by 78 from Nicholas Cameron, 61 from his brother Dimitri Cameron and 27 from Kishnasammy. Yadram took 2-43.

In their BCB/New Building Society second division zone fixture, PMCC met Springlands and defeated them by 60 runs in a one sided affair. Batting first, PMCC scored 168 all out with 66 (4x4s) from Lloydel Lewis, 40 from Arif Chan and 29 extras.

T. Ramdass took 4-58 for Springlands, who in their turn at the wicket were bowled out for 108, with only C. Beresford 23 and M. Kendall 21 reaching double figures. Kishnasammy took 3-8 and A. Wajib 2-25.

With the wins, PMCC have advanced to the quarter-finals of both competitions and will face Number 72 in the New Building Society fixture this Saturday.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Everest Cricket Club is expected to come alive on Sunday with the hosting of the Vicky Singh Memorial softball competition.

The tournament is being sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Asif Ally. Singh who passed away on March 13, 2013 was a former member of the club.

The following players have been selected to participate in the tournament and are asked to be at the club to facilitate a 09:30 hrs start.

Team one; Dharam Persaud (Capt.), Longsford Klass, Samuel Kingston, Anil Hardyal,  Mahendra Arjune, Rickey Persaud, Ramesh Sunich, Buddy Rahaman, Richard Persaud, Shaheed Mohamed, Hanuman Singh and Suro Bissessar

Team two; Mohamed Rafeek (capt.), Oslyn Batson, Clyde Hoyte, Chien Gittens, Ryan Singh, Danny Mohanram, Colin Greaves, Vinod Lall, Ron Ramnauth, Rudy Persaud, Ejaz Mohamed and Rudy Rodrigues.

Team three; Rajesh Singh( Capt.), Richard Latiff, Ariel Persaud, Fidel Singh, Rohan Sarjoo, Paul Parsram, Ramesh Ramsaroop, Mike Lakeram Singh, Rickey Deonarine, Takur Rampersaud, Fazal Ally and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Team four; Asif Ally (Captain), Danny Gangadeen, Robert Mohan, Taiko Sookdeo, Narine Saywack, Rishi Singh, Khalid Haslim, Raymond Harper, R. Haslim, Dhakshanand Persaud, Avinash Chetram, Toney Singh and Eddie Barlow.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Led by a half century from Ryan Hercules and a four-wicket haul from Brian Hubbert, Parika Salem defeated Supreme Petroleum by 69 runs to capture the Mohamed Memorial 40-over cricket title on Sunday last at Vergenoegen ground, East Bank Essequibo.

In a match which was reduced to 28 overs, Hercules stroked 53 and got valuable support from Daniram Lallaram, 44 as Parika Salem posted 166 before they were bowled out in 27.5 overs, batting first in front of a fair size crowd. Kemol Savory chipped in with 22 as left arm pacer Safraz Alli captured 4-32 off six overs and R. Singh 2-28.

Supreme Petroleum were skittled for 97 in 26.4 overs in reply. Ryan Adams scored 44 and Rajiv Balgobin 17. Man of the match Hubbert grabbed 4-13 and Sase Narine 2-40.

Hercules received the awards for scoring the most runs in the final and the tournament, while Hemchand Persaud took home the trophy for the most wickets and Azeez Basheer (106) the prize for the highest individual score in the competition.

Meanwhile, the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee hosts a T20 tournament on Sunday.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Off-spinner Steven Jacobs and left-arm orthodox spinner Raj Nannan fought back for Vishaul Singh’s XI, at the end of a rain-interrupted second day in the Cricket Guy Inc. four-day practice encounter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday.

Responding to Singh’s XI first-innings score of 349, Johnson’s XI were 106 for 4 at the end of the day’s play, trailing by 233 runs with Narsingh Deonarine on 23 and Christopher Barnwell on 4, as Jacobs and Nannan have so far taken two wickets each for 27 and 32 runs respectively.

Earlier in the day, Singh’s XI resumed on their overnight score of 311 for 6 with Chandrapaul Hemraj on 39 and Ricardo Adams yet to score and failed to survive the bowling of Veerasammy Permaul who ended with 8 for 96, as they were bowled out for 349 despite losing the entire first session due to early morning showers.

Hemraj stuck three fours and two sixes in his 42, while Ricardo Adams had two fours, one each off Permaul and Narsingh Deonarine in his 14, before Narsingh Deonarine (1 for 62) removed Hemraj caught by Trevon Griffith at 314 for 7.

Ricardo Adams and Kemo Paul, whose 12 included a six off Deonarine, inched the score to 336 before Paul was caught at the wicket by Anthony Bramble off Permaul at 336 for 8, even as Permaul bowled Adams to close off the innings.

In their reply, Griffith and Rajendra Chandrika started positively, with both batsmen hitting Raun Johnson for boundaries through extra cover in the ninth over of the innings, prompting Singh to call on Steven Jacobs’ off-spin with the aim of quietening the rampaging openers.

The introduction of Raj Nannan saw the demise of Chandrika who was caught at short extra cover by Singh for 29 (3×4), followed soon after by Griffith who was lbw to Jacobs for 20 (3×4) at 56 for 2 on the stroke of tea, with Leon Johnson who had replaced Chandrika, on 2.

After tea, Johnson was joined by Deonarine and together they pushed the score to 92, with both batsmen hitting Nannan and Jacobs who bowled in tandem for boundaries, while Johnson cleared the ropes once off Jacobs, before Shimron Hetmyer took a well-judged catch under the bat to account for Johnson 19 (2×4, 1×6) off Nannan.

Jacobs removed the dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2), who was taken by Hetmyer at forward short-leg in the following over off a leading edge, as Jacobs extracted bounce and turn off the strip, before light showers and bad light stopped play at 16:00hrs with Johnson’s XI trailing by 233 runs.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Chronicle article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Unless something dramatically occurs overnight from Vishaul Singh’s XI, the second four-day practice match, organised by Cricket Guy Inc. ahead of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League against Leon Johnson’s XI at the Guyana National Stadium, will peter out into a tame draw.

Having enjoyed a lead of 53 after bowling out Johnson’s XI for 293, five overs after the tea break yesterday, Singh’s XI increased that to 84 at the close of play, as they reached 31 for 2, losing first-innings centurion Shimron Hetmyer (7) who was bowled by Devendra Bishoo off the final delivery of the day’s play.

They had earlier lost Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who was also bowled by Bishoo in the fourth over of their second innings for 12, while Kandasammy Surujnarine is unbeaten on 9 and his team has eight second-innings wickets in the bag, with Bishoo picking up 2 for 10 so far.

Earlier in the day, Johnson’s XI whose composition is made up of 90% of the players who were retained and drafted for CPL, started the day on 106 for 4 with Narsingh Deonarine on 23 and Christopher Barnwell 4.

The duo added 76 for the fifth wicket, with both batsmen hitting boundaries off Raj Nannan and Jeremy Gordon, even as they also got boundaries in one over off Anthony Adams, pushing the score to 172 before Barnwell, who struck five fours in his 42, was caught by Kandasammy Surujnarine off Royston Crandon.

At lunch, Johnson’s XI were 187 for 5, with Deonarine on 51, having posted his 50 from 157 balls with five fours, while Raymon Reifer was on 2 and after the break, Deonarine and Reifer pushed the score to 197, before Amir Khan struck, having Reifer smartly stumped by Jason Sinclair for 9.

His wicket was followed by that of Deonarine who was caught by Khan off Raun Johnson for 65 (175 balls, 7×4) and Jonathan Foo (5), leaving Johnson’s XI on 223 for 8, as Veerasammy Permaul strolled to the wicket to join Anthony Bramble.

Permaul looked comfortable during his 46-run ninth-wicket partnership with Bramble, hitting Nannan for six to go along with his two fours, before he holed out to Johnson at wide long on off Steven Jacobs just before tea which was taken with Johnson’s XI on 279 for 9 off 110 overs with Bramble on 36 and Bishoo 2.

Nannan closed off Johnson’s XI innings when he trapped Bishoo lbw for 8 at 293 off 115.5 overs, leaving Bramble unbeaten on 43 – an innings that was decorated with four fours, while Jacobs ended with 3 for 53, Nannan 3 for 74 and there was a wicket each for Raun Johnson, Khan, Crandon and Anthony Adams.

First Published In The Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Guyana Softball Cup 4 is done and dusted, but like all of its previous three editions, it has left some memorable moments with the players and fans alike.

After three days of intense and keenly contested rivalry among top local and overseas softball teams, West Demerara’s Wolf’s Warriors edged Regal XI by five runs to lift the Open title, while Floodlights toppled Savage by 18 runs to win the Masters division.

The tournament attracted arguably the largest crowd to witness a sport event at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown, with the venue being transformed to a festive atmosphere on the night of the finals last Sunday.

Persons from all stratum of society were packed into the “Home of Legends” to witness a fitting finale to the country’s premier softball tournament.

Apart from the riveting on-field action, patrons were entertained by 71 Sounds and were kept informed of the scores by a more than capable commentary panel, led by the experienced Inderjeet Persaud and including Onkar Singh and a local version of the energetic former New Zealand fast bowler turned commentator, Danny Morrison.

However, it was the individual brilliance of several players that really made the tournament the enormous success it was in 2014. Names such as Uniss Yusuf, Lennox Marks and Jagdesh Persaud will remain on the lips of everyone whenever a conversation on Guyana Softball Cup 4 pops up.

The three batsmen were all centurions in what was record-breaking weekend for the tournament.

Top performers

The statistics would show that the right-handed Yusuf, playing for the successful Floodlights team in the Masters division, was the only batsman to score 200+ runs, notching up 209 from four matches at an excellent average of 69.67.

Among those runs was a brilliant match-winning 104 not out in the semi-final against Wellman XI. He also picked up vital wickets and held some stunning catches. Not surprisingly, he was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Masters version of the Guyana Softball Cup.

Shaam Persaud of Wellman XI was the next highest runscorer in the Masters segment with 171 runs, followed by Lakeram Barlow of Savage (148); Jagdesh Persaud of East Coast Masters (140); O. Chandler of Parika Defenders (128); Ken Sanichar of New York Better Hope (127); Wayne Jones of Floodlights (120) and Lloyd Rooplall of Wellman XI (111).

In the bowling department, Dharam Persaud of Floodlights, R. Rambharose of Parika Defenders and Lloyd Rooplall of Wellman XI were the joint highest wicket-taker with eight victims each, followed by D. Mohabeer of New York President’s XI with seven, and six each for A. Ali of N.Y.S.C Legends, Imtiaz Mohamed of Floodlights and Raj Doobay of NYSC Legends.

The lone centurion in the Open category, Lennox Marks of Farm XI, topped the runs chart with 175 runs from four matches at an average of 59.67. His exploits earned him the MVP accolade in the Open segment.

He was followed by Safraz Karim of Wolf’s Warriors (137); Patrick Khan of Farm XI (118); Surujpaul Deosaran of Dant’s XI (109); Darshan Chalitor of Corriverton (109) and Amrit Rai of Wolf’s Warriors (100). Notably, Rai was only dismissed once in the competition, finishing with an astonishing average of 100.

Like the Masters segment, the bowling in the Open competition was led by three players who finished with eight wickets each. They were Rohit Dutchin of Regal XI, Ameer Nizamudden of Wolf’s Warriors and Avinash Sukhdeo of Farm XI.

They were followed by Fazal Rafeek of Regal XI; Narine Raghunandan and Nandshyaam Boodhoo of Petamba Enterprise; and Mark Harold of Wolf’s Warriors, who all snared seven wickets apiece, while Richard Latiff of Regal XI captured six scalps.

The players, for their individual brilliance, and the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, for their excellence in organising the tournament, should be commended for another successful Guyana Softball Cup.

Anticipation is high for the fifth edition of the tournament in 2015.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Greene’s Electrical and Contracting Services of Duncan Street, Georgetown has thrown its support behind the staging of the Goodwill Promotions/West Berbice Cricket Association inaugural T20 festival which is slated to start on Sunday.

Yesterday, marketing representative of the entity Niketa Jackson handed over a cheque of an undisclosed amount to organizer of the tournament Abel Seetaram. In brief remarks Jackson said that it’s pleased to be associated with the festival.

She stated that sport plays an integral part in the development of the society and helps to instill discipline in youths. According to Seetaram, various venues across West Berbice will be used so as to get the full participation of spectators. He thanked the company for its support and informed that there will be over $200,000 up for grabs.

Seetaram explained that the winning and runner teams will be receiving cash prizes and trophies, while trophies will be given to the man-of-the-series, best bowler, batsman and man-of-the-match in all the games.

It was also disclosed that there will be lots of attractions and giveaways for the fans at all the venues. An opening ceremony will be held on Sunday at Bath Sports Club ground featuring lots of cultural items.

In the opening matches at the Bath ground, Rainbow Generation CC will tackle Monedderlust CC and the hosts will face Woodley Park Goodwill Setters. At Cotton Tree, Achievers CC will play Ithaca CC and the home team will battle NO. 3 CC while at Bush Lot Community Centre the hosts will play Hopetown and Sheildstown CC will match skills with D’ Edward CC.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Kaieteur News article.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) has released the names of the umpires to officiate in this weekend’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) fixtures.

Deon Feassal and Hortence Isaacs will take charge of the Noble House Sea Foods second-division two-day semi final which starts at 10:30hrs tomorrow between host Georgetown Cricket Club and Everest with Reginald Grant as stand by.

In the New Building Society second-division 40-overs tomorrow from 10:30hrs; Transport Sports Club (TSC) will play Ace Warriors at Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) with Mario Nicholls and Nandkumar Shivsankar in charge; MYO will travel to Malteenoes SC (MSC) under the guidance of Ashook Brijkoomar and Matthew Kissoon and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will engage Sophia at Guyana Defense Force (GDF) ground with Clyde Layne and Cyril Garnath doing on field duties.

On Sunday from 10:30hrs, TSC will challenge Third Class at YMCA under the watchful eyes of Mario Nicholls and Randolph Rose; GDF will host Police with Nigel Duguid and Joseph Jeffery officiating and Diplomats will take on St. Stanislaus at MSC, the umpires are Javed Persaud and Nolan Hawke.

In the Banks Malta Supreme Under-13 tomorrow at GNIC, Gandhi Youth Organisation will battle Diplomats from 09:00hrs and Everest will match skills with TSC from 13:00hrs. Daniel Richmond and Ernest Hinds will oversee the action.

On Sunday, DCC will play Bel Air Rubis from 09:00hrs and MSC at 13:00hrs at MYO with the umpires being Richmond and Heuvel Cunha.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Skeldon High School whipped Tagore Memorial Secondary by 27 runs to win the Parbattie Jaggai Memorial Secondary School under-17 T20 cricket competition played recently at the Crabwood cricket ground.

Batting first Skeldon High was bowled out for 105 runs in 19 overs with T Rajaram hitting a top score of 25. He received support from T Baichan with 24. Bowling for Tagore A Ajib took 3-8 and by far was the most successful bowlers.

In reply, Tagore were bowled out for 78 runs in 14.3 overs with V Sugrim, 20 was the only batsman showing any resistance to Skeldon bowling. T Rajaram was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-18.

T Rajaram was later named man of the match and received a gift for his all round performance.

At the presentation Steven Seeraj son of the late Parbattie Jaggai handed over the winner trophy to Skeldon along with a stationery voucher worth $15,000.

The runner up, Tagore Memorial Secondary School received a trophy and stationery voucher worth $10,000.

Seeraj also pledged his continue support for next year and requested the inclusion of Bush Lot Secondary from Central Corentyne area  for next year competition.

This competition was organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association with approval from the Ministry of Education.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Toronto, Canada - West Indian and Guyanese cricketer Derwin Christian expressed total enjoyment after completing another stint in Canada representing Brampton Masters Tranzac Cricket Club in the 2014 Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Elite 50-over tournament.

Known extensively for his wicket-keeping ability, Christian performed excellent with the bat tallying 630 runs from 28 games hitting a highest score of 79 while he took 16 catches to round off a remarkable season.

The 31-year-old right-hander was also ecstatic, alluding to the fact that his team emerged as the champion side, dethroning Centurions Cricket Club in this year’s final which was played at the King City ground recently.

“Definitely, I enjoy my second stint in Canada and looking forward to make another impression next year because I have already been invited to represent them again and most of all to be in the winning team,” Christian related.

Christian, who plays for Demerara Cricket Club in Georgetown, Guyana over the years, featured in 51 first-class matches and 35 one-day games while he only wore the maroon colours in two T20 games.

He still believes he has enough cricket left in him to be back in those prestigious colours and therefore playing competitive cricket which can attract the selectors.

“It [is] still my desire to represent Guyana and West Indies; I know you have got to perform consistently and regarding my keeping, I was able to maintain my excellent gloves work,” the former Guyana under-19 athlete divulged.

On his inaugural visit 2008, Christian done well too for a West Indian club but missed out over the past five years owing to Guyana and West Indies’ commitment.

However, the experience playing in North America is fantastic on these two occasions so far, according to Christian while he lauded the welcome too by his teammates.

“It was an honour to be part of the Brampton team this year as I was also privileged to play with cricketers of caliber like Cheema (Rizwan), Patel (Hiral), Gordon (Jeremy) and Searles (Javon) among others.

Apart from that, Christian candidly mentioned about the sturdiness he endured playing on the foreign soil but adapted to the challenging conditions very quickly with a number of indoor practice sessions.

“Playing cricket in Canada is not easy as playing in the Caribbean like Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago; the weather and the pitches here make it very challenging at times but my body acclimatized having lots of indoor training sessions assisted me a greatly and then I was able to score runs consistently towards the end of the tournament,”

In the final, Christian, who toured with the Caribbean team to England in 2011, produced a fine batting display by making 48 runs.

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - Meten-Meer-Zorg West (MMZ West) will clash with Unity in a highly anticipated 30-over cricket match on Sunday at the  Meten-Meer-Zorg centre ground, starting at noon.

A large crowd is expected to throng the venue since the Unity line-up is touted to include veteran Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and his son, the talented and promising Tagenarine “Brandon” Chanderpaul.

Meten-Meer-Zorg team will be lead by from Essequibo Inter-county player Sheldon Alexander and will include Vishal Jaigobin, veteran player Vinod Rajkumar and 17-year-old Levroy Miggings among others.

According to the organisers, “The match should be an interesting battle with the amount of quality players which will be participating for the host and their visitors. Meten-Meer-Zorg community centre and the village is very busy with this friendly 30-over cricket match creating quite a buzz.”

First Published In The Guyana Times.

Guyana Times article.

Georgetown, Guyana - West Indies left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul exploited the significant bounce and turn on offer on a final day pitch to take five second innings wickets, finishing with a match-haul of 13-145.

His performance – the highlight of which was a relentless accuracy – helped Leon Johnson’s X1 dismissed Vishual Singh’s X1 for 151, batting a second time. Set 208 for victory in 45 overs, Leon Johnson’s X1 reached 74-3, and as a result the game ended in a tame draw.

In the run chase, opener Rajendra Chandrika (15), Trevon Griffith (37) and  Raymon Reifer, who was promoted to number three (15) were the batsmen dismissed.

Pacer Jeremy Gordon and spinners Steven Jacobs and Raj Nanan were the successful bowlers.

When play was called off, skipper Leon Johnson was yet to score and Narsingh Deonarine was unbeaten on four.

Earlier, batting was a constant struggle – a few deliveries stayed low, most bounced sharply and there was always a degree of spin.

Resuming at 31-2, Vishaul Singh’s X1 batsmen were again undermined by the clever spin bowling from Permaul on a pitch that offered him sharp turn and generous bounce.

Permaul continued the demolition job, which was initially started by his club mate Devendra Bishoo prior to the close on the penultimate day.

The 25-year-old, who played four Tests, took all four wickets before lunch and finally wrapped up the innings with the final wicket, an hour in the second session.

Permaul received valuable support from Bishoo, who finish with 4-77, as the duo never allowed the batsmen to settle down.

Skipper Vishual Singh, who partner overnight batsman Kandasammy Surujnarine was the first to fall shortly after the resumption on the final morning.

He was clean-bowled with a sharp turner without scoring. Royston Crandon (8) follows soon after, before Surujnarine was bowled for 22 at 55-5.

The left-handed Chanderpaul Hemraj and Steven Jacobs then revived the innings with a 61-run sixth wicket partnership.

But as soon as Hemraj was shaping up well he lofted a short delivery to the mid-wicket boundary and was comfortably caught by Gudakesh Motie for 29. Jacobs was on 34 and Ricardo Adams was yet to score when lunch was taken at 123-6.

Upon resumption after lunch, the last four wickets crashed 28 runs with Bishoo removing Jacobs for 40. Adams was run out for nine before Kemo Paul (6) was removed by Bishoo and Amir Khan (10) was dismissed by Permaul.

The two practice games were part of the Guyana Jaguars preparation for next week’s start of the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional four-day Franchise tournament.

A fifteen-man squad for Guyana‘s first game against Leeward Islands will be release shortly, according to head of the Guyana Cricket Board senior Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith.

Guyana Jaguars will play their first three games at home, Leeward Islands Franchise from November 14-17, Windward Islands Volcanoes from November 21-24 and Barbados Franchise from November 28. All three matches will be played at the National Stadium.

The Regional four-day will be played on a home and away basis over 10 rounds from November 14, 2014 to March 23, 2015.

Each team will play 10 matches, five at home and five away.

First Published In The Guyana Times.