Defending Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 limited overs champions Demerara will look to retain their title when they lock horns with the young but dangerous National U17 XI in today’s final of the 2015 Raj Singh Insurance Brokers-sponsored tourney.
The Everest Cricket Ground is the venue for the clash between the two successful youth sides who have been on top of their games during this as well as the three-day format which concluded last week.
Demerara, led by batsman Travis Persaud, have won three consecutive games heading into today’s match and all eyes will be on the in-form, destructive all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford.
Rutherford is the X-factor in the Demerara line up and has struck fear into the hearts of batsmen and bowlers alike.
The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player signaled his intentions in the second round with a breath-taking 70 which required less than 20 balls while his right-arm seam bowling has rewarded him with more than 20 wickets this season.
Other players who will be in the spotlight and can provide a bit of balance and stability include century maker of the second round Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud, Ronaldo Renee, Daniel Basdeo and a few others who have been on spot with their respective trades.
The U17 boys have been very successful during the competition especially after disposing of Essequibo in a come-from-behind match in the first round of the 50 overs competition. Their skipper Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, has been amongst the runs while batsmen Raymond Perez, Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Sinclair, Bhaskar Yadram and others are expected to weigh in in the batting department.
Their bowling unit is strong and has been shown to be able to penetrate almost any team they play. Ali Mohamed will rely heavily on his spinners, especially his trump card in off-spinner Sagar Hetheramani who has been magical in most matches while fellow spinners Ashmead Nedd and Richie Looknauth are expected to be a handful.
The match is expected to begin at 10:00hrs and admission is free.
Demerara: Travis Persaud (Captain), Ronaldo Renee, Malcom Hubbard, Akshaya Persaud, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Carlton Jacques, Gavin Moriah (V. Captain), Ershad Alli, Vivian Albert, Daniel Basdeo, Tariq Dharamlall, Mark Hamilton, and Chetnarine Pooran. The Manager is Latchman Yadram and the Coach is Trevon Garraway.
Guyana U-17 squad: Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud, Adrian Sukwah (vice-captain), Ramnarine Chatura, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Richie Looknauth, Ronaldo Alimohamed (captain), Timothy McAlmont, Steve Deonarine, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Jones, Sylus Tyndall, Asif Ally, Sagar Hetheramani, Romain Muniram, and Tameshwar Motieram. The Manager is Nazeer Mohammed and the Coach is Garvin Nedd.
