It was a well-decorated 94 from national batsman Christopher Barnwell that steered Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to a 44-run win over the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) in the final of the inaugural Digicel/Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Twenty20 First Division competition.
Playing on home turf, at the Queenstown-based ground, the DCC side lost only two wickets as they charged to 125 runs, off what was reduced to seven overs aside due to inclement weather. In reply GNIC scrambled to 81–5, before the exhaustion of their seven overs.
DCC rode to their victory off an aggressive 27-ball innings that was carved out by Barnwell. The right-handed Barnwell, who walked away with the Man-of-the-Match title, muscled 11 massive sixes and five fours.
He later returned with the ball to pick up two wickets for 18 runs off an allotted two overs. GNIC was further contained by spinner Totaram Bishun who bagged another two wickets for 19 runs, also off two overs.
Meanwhile, in the third place match-up, it was the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) that wrested an eight-wicket victory over the Everest Cricket Club, under the Duckworth Lewis system.
Following the playoffs, the respective teams were awarded at the presentation ceremony. DCC received $150,000, a trophy and a medal for each member of the team for its winning effort.
Second place takers, GNIC received $75,000, a trophy and medals, while GCC also walked away with a trophy and $45,000 in prize money; in fourth place, Everest received $30,000 and a trophy for their efforts.
For individual awards Barnwell took a trophy for being the premier run scorer, and was also awarded the prize for being the best bowler in the finals. GCC’s skipper Leon Johnson was honoured for taking the most wickets in the competition, having copped 4–17 runs.
GCC’s Tyrell Tull was credited for being the best fielder, and Everest’s Ahbilash Deokie was the highest run scorer, having scored 102 runs not out. The umpires were also honoured with a medal each.
President of the GCA Roger Harper was also on board to congratulate the DCC team on their take of the competition, and took the opportunity to extend heartfelt gratitude to the event’s sponsor Digicel.
