The University of Guyana (UG) pulled off a thrilling last over victory to defeat top-of-the-table Police Sports Club by three wickets at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, in the only first-division Carib T20 match possible yesterday after the other two games were rained out.
UG, who won the toss and invited Police to bat in the contest which was reduced to 10-overs-a-side due to overnight rain, were staring down the barrel in the first over after Police opener Alex Algoo clobbered off-spinner Linden Austin’s over for 35 runs. Algoo, who took on the shorter of the two boundaries smashed Austin for four consecutive sixes, a four and then another six to start Police’s innings like a house on fire. Their last nine overs however, only produced 41 runs after medium pacer Keron Sewnarine removed Algoo for 35 and number four batter Kelvin Leitch without scoring in quick succession.
The lawmen were met with further trouble when Off-spinner Royston Alkins was introduced into the attack and together with Sewnarine bowled well in tandem by hitting good areas and pulling the game back for the students. Alkins got into his stride by removing skipper Sherwyn Mc Pherson for three and then bowled the dangerous Ricardo Adams for seven to leave Police 55 for 4 in the fifth over. Police did not capitalize on their good start and eventually ended on 76 for nine from their allotted overs.
Apart from Algoo, no other batter reached double figures for Police.
Ray Newton 2 for eight, Seenarine 2 for two, Alkins 2 for 14, Suresh Dhanai 2 for eight and Michael Shalin 2 for six were the wicket takers.
UG, in reply, got off to a slow start but they eventually powered home through cameos from Dhanai who smashed two sixes and a four in his 21 and Damion Vantull who hit two sixes in his 16.
UG ended on 78 for 7 in 9. 1 overs after Austin smashed pacer Raun Johnson over long-on for four to win the game to the delight of a small crowded that gathered to watch the game. Stephen Harris two for 25 and Adams 2 for 26 were the main wicket takers for police.
The competition continues today with Police taking on the Demerara Cricket club at home while Everest Cricket Club will play the Georgetown Cricket Club at home. Both matches will commence at 1:30 in the afternoon.
