By Marlon Munroe
Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Dwayne Bravo can readily be identified in any contemporary West Indian team or under contract for rich owners of cricket teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
They can now add their personal touches and show their class in this year’s DJ Stress 20/20 Cricket Festival today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. The festival, in its second year, has grown tremendously from its inaugural tournament last year and has embraced some of the sport’s biggest names in this part of the world this year.
Promoter of the tournament Paul Bonar Jr., aka DJ Stress, when contacted yesterday said that people should come out in their numbers and support their favourite team.
He indicated that all systems are in place for today’s event, especially since it has been well planned.
He assured that all the guest players will be present at the matches and the intention is to provide a top class tournament for the public and for the players. He stated that all persons entering the venue will receive a tournament memorabilia and other accessories to add a carnival-like atmosphere to the tournament, which begins at 10:00 hours.
Meanwhile a serious rivalry is brewing between last year’s runners-up Gizmos & Gadgets Georgetown Pitbulls and the Newline Cavaliers, the tournament’s defending champions.
From reports the Pitbulls have sworn that they will not be settling for second place again this year and the cup will be going back to the city.
In the capital-based team there is the skipper and former West Indies ODI player Leon Johnson. He has under him West Indies ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ Chanderpaul, West Indies electrifying all-rounder Bravo, West Indies batsman Travis Dowlin, WI under-19 opening batsman Trevon Griffith and national batting all-rounder Christopher Barnwell.
Also in that team is former national player Lennox Cush, who has developed a reputation as a 20/20 expert- contributing with both bat and ball, national pacer Trevon Garraway, Kellon Carmichael, Steven Jacobs and Eon Ferrier, who have all been effective in this format of the game at all levels.
The Pitbulls will play the first semi-final match against the Berbice Titans from 10:00 hours.
New Line Cavaliers will be led by their inspirational Captain Gajanand Singh, who has an unbeaten run in first division cricket since the team was drafted last year. The star studded team has WI Captain and power-hitter Gayle, stylish middle WI and Jamaican batsman Samuels, who returned to cricket after serving a two-year ban, Trinidadian and WI players Lendl Simmons and Rayad Emrit and the elegant Guyanese batsman Andrew Lyght Jr.
New Line Cavaliers will take on the Digicom Moosai Trinidad Tigers in the second semi-final from 13:00 hours.
The third match of the day will be an exhibition contest between the Media United XI against the Digicom Superstars at 17:00 hours. The final will be played between the winners of the first and second semi-final.
Universal DVD Berbice Titans have not imported players for the festival but they have a strong unit with Royston Crandon leading. He has the support of former WI opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, who has shown rich form during the current Digicel Summer Smash 20/20 tournament, Hoomchand PooranRichard Ramdeen and Jonathan Foo and Esaun Crandon.
Former WI and national leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo will captain the Digicom Moosai Trinidad Tigers. T&T national player William Perkins will be his deputy with Guyanese Troy Cornelius featuring in the side.
Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans: Royston Crandon (Captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Richard Ramdeen, Jonathan Foo, Ranga Latchana, Delbert Hicks, Esuan Crandon, Krisendat Ramoo, Devon Clements, Davendra Bishoo, Hoomchand Pooran, Steven Latcha, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble, Michael Newland and Yogendra Harrinarine.
New Line Cavaliers: Gajanand Singh (Captain), Andre Percival (Vice-Captain), Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Rayad Emrit, Andrew Lyght Jr., Balram Samaroo, Tyrel Tull, Chien Gittens, Avinash Sookdeo, Anthony Ifill, Orin Forde, Paul Wintz, Zaheer Mohamed and Marlon Ismond.
Digicom Moosai Berbice Titans: Mahendra Nagamootoo (Captain), William Perkins (Vice Captain), Troy Cornelius, Brian Yearwood, Michael Harry, Shivanand Moosai, Mario Belcon, Keegan Roy, Emile Rajah, Marlon Bharath, David Forbes, Isaiah Rajah, Adrian Geeban, Miguel Nedd, Milton Dookran and Sunil Moosai.
Gizmos & Gadgets Georgetown Pitbulls: Leon Johnson (Captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Lennox Cush, Ravi Sarwan, Christopher Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Travis Dowlin, Troy Gonsalves, Steven Jacobs, Deon Ferrier, Totaram Bishun, Kellon Carmichael, Trevon Garraway, Derwin Christian and Delon Heyliger.
