By Marlon Munroe
The President’s XI must have rued their chance when they won the toss and batted on a pitch laced with grass, cracks and provided uneven bounce as they were bowled out for 98 by the CARICOM All Stars in the President’s Premier League Twenty20 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Middle order batsman Assad Fudadin was the only batsman to provide any resistance with a resilient 40, a score that added credence to an otherwise shameful scoreboard, as wickets crumbled regularly around him. A 32-run third wicket partnership was the highest for the President’s XI between Fudadin and Narsingh Deonarine who made 12.
The CARICOM All Stars, while they started shakily, recovered to reach 96-5 in 16 overs with Man-of-the-match Darren Ganga making an unbeaten 39 and stand in Captain Dwayne Bravo also was left not out on 16. On a pitch that suited the bowlers the two batsmen carefully manoeuvred their team out of trouble with sensible, aggressive batting. Earlier, The President’s XI batting in front of a large, boisterous crowd found it hard to get the ball away before Sewnarine Chattergoon was trapped Ibw by the fiery Fidel Edwards for 3 (16-1). Kieron Pollard, who snared four wickets for 12 runs, then dismissed the impulsive Christopher Barnwell for eight when he was caught at mid wicket by Sherwin Ganga (22-2).
At this time Fudadin had already started looking ominous with Deonarine playing second fiddle. However, Deonarine was caught at fine leg attempting to sweep to bring to an end the most valuable partnership (54-3).
This signalled the arrival of the stylish West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan but shortly after he attempted a run that was never on and was run out for one but was pardoned by Bravo and was allowed to bat again. Shortly after, as he looked game rusty, played a Ravi Rampaul delivery unto his stumps and was dismissed for three (71-4).
Fudadin continued to be the glue that held the team together but Derwin Christian, who holds the regional record for the most successive ducks (6) in a series came to the crease and was caught behind for two off Pollard (77-5). Former Wl One-day batsman Leon Johnson went with the next ball for nought when he was caught by Bravo at midwicket (77-6).
Fudadin’s 45-ball vigil came to an end shortly after when the score was 78 in the in 18th over when he was caught by Ramdin off the bowling of Rampaul. His 40 included five audacious boundaries and the only six of the innings. Subsequently Esaun Crandon, who was left not out on 8, coupled with some 16 extras took the score to 95.
Rampaul took two wickets for 15 runs from four overs while Edwards and Sherwin Ganga took one wicket apiece.
In CARICOM’s reply medium pacer Crandon initiated their early demise when he had Lendl Simmons caught by Veerasammy Permaul for four, Ramdin trapped leg before wicket for five and Xavier Marshall bowled for three. Lennox Cush also bowled Darren Bravo for zero to leave the All Stars reeling at 22-4.
Pollard, in partnership with Ganga, made an aggressive 15 that included two fours before he was caught by Chattergoon off the bowling of Barnwell (51-5). Bravo consistently turned the strike over for his 14-ball 16 that included one maximum.
The technically correct Ganga’s run-a-ball 39 was decorated with three well executed fours and one six.
The All Stars received US $5000 compliments of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) while Ganga received a trophy.