By Neil Barry Jr.,
Defending champions Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) open their campaign today in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Queensway Cup against a confident Police Sports Club side at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground, Thomas Lands.
GCC has been boosted by the inclusion of former world number one One Day International batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Skipper Leon Johnson told Stabroek Sport that GCC is always confident in their ability and will not be complacent, especially again Police, who upset Malteenoes to progress to the quarter final encounter.
He added that the side feels well prepared physically for the challenge under the watch of new coach Monty Lynch adding that although they are expecting tough opposition, the inclusion of Sarwan is a major boost.
The team, he said, will be looking to take it “one game at a time.” According to Johnson, Sarwan practiced with the team during the week and has expressed his desire to do well in this competition.
“Ronnie is a major boost to the team, having someone of his quality,” Johnson noted. He also made reference to Sarwan’s previous two games for the club where he scored a century and double century.
GCC possesses a tall batting order with the like of Sarwan and Johnson to be supported by Vishaul `Cheesy’ Singh, Jeeetendra Sookdeo and Robin Bacchus.
Police Sports Club did well to overcome Malteenoes but will probably need to do even better to progress to the semi finals.
While the match will not be played at Bourda which would have given GCC somewhat of a home court advantage, Police will rely heavily on the Benn brothers, Troy and Trevor, in both the batting and bowling departments, as well as the energy they bring in the field.
Last year’s finalists, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) also open their campaign as they face Gandhi Youth Organization at their home ground in Queenstown.
Coach Garvin `Tibbsy’ Nedd, the former Guyana U-19 and senior player, has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to win this tournament. He mentioned that the preparation has been ideal and that DCC will be depending on the senior players, like Christopher Barnwell and Derwin Christian. He noted that Travis Dowlin has been included in the squad, and his inclusion should provide a major boost to the team. Dowlin played a crucial role for DCC in the competition last year, with his unbeaten half century taking DCC over the line in the semi final against Malteenoes. GYO will need to put up an improved performance against one of Georgetown’s toughest sides, and will need their senior players to step up to support the younger ones who played the more meaningful roles in their first round win over Ace Warriors.
At Camp Ayanganna, the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) is due to play Transport Sports Club. GNIC easily prevailed over Third Class at Malteenoes when Elton Baker and Ranole Bourne batted their team safely to a nine-wicket win while Transport fought hard to eliminate the University of Guyana. Transport will be looking for the sort of aggressive innings played by Carl Rambharose in their last game, which propelled them to a score above 200, although the team only batted 38 overs. To score a winning total Transport will have to do so against GNIC’s spin trio of West Indies Selector Clyde Butts, Collis Butts and Orlando Fraser. This match is expected to be keenly contested as a spot in tomorrow’s semi final awaits the winner.
At Everest, what will probably be the most intriguing battle for a spot in the semi final will ensue between the Guyana Defencee Force and home team Everest. Both teams sailed through round one against relatively weaker opposition; however both sides will be wary of the national experience each team possesses. GDF’s Shemroy Barrington will be pitted against his fellow national opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika of Everest, while Chanderpaul Hemraj has also played first class cricket for Guyana. Both teams won their last game by nine wickets, chasing small totals; however this match can be expected to be much closer. Tomorrow at GCC, the winner of the GCC/Police match will be up against the winner of the GNIC/Transport in semi final one.
In semi final two at the Demerara Cricket Club, the winner of the GDF/Everest match will play the winner of the DCC/GYO encounter. The final of the Queensway Cup will be played next Sunday.
