By Royston Alkins
Amazon Warriors all-rounder Steven Jacobs produced an explosive batting effort of 68 not-out from 37 deliveries to inspire an emotional five-wicket, last over win for Malteenoes Sports Club over Everest Cricket Club at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground, Camp Road yesterday in the latest round of the Georgetown Cricket Association/Carib Beer first division T20 tournament.
Everest won the toss, elected to bat first and posted a competitive 162 for 2 on the back of 72 not-out from Skipper Akshaya Persaud who stroked three fours and clobbered five sixes.
He received support from fellow opener and discarded West Indies player Rajendra Chandrika who made 52, an innings decorated with three fours and two sixes. The two put on 92 runs for the first wicket which aided in Everest posting a decent score.
Off-spinner Steffon Brown, who took 1 for 28 from his allotted four overs, was the only successful bowler for the home side.
Malteenoes successful run chase began steadily, reaching 19 for 1 at the end of the fourth over when opener Kandasammy Surujnarine (14) was dismissed by medium-pacer Troy Gonsalves.
His dismissal brought Guyana’s newest first-class player, Clinton Pestano to the crease and along with Nickosie Barker, the two took the score to 37 for 1 at the end of the first power play, giving Malteenoes a firm platform on which to launch an attack.
The two pushed on with Malteenoes needing 131 from 84 delivers. Freeing their arms, they took 14 runs from left-arm orthodox spinner, Javid Rashid’s first over to propel the score to 58 for 1 after 8.
Barker soon fell for 25 which brought Jacobs to the crease and, along with Pestano, they took the score to 72 for 2 at the halfway point.
Jacobs began to take the attack to the Everest bowlers smashing a flurry of sixes to keep his side in the hunt while Pestano joined the fun. He, however, was dismissed for 35 by Everest skipper Persaud to leave the home side 117 for 3 in the 15th over.
Jacobs continued his assault even as Everest dismissed Marcus Watkins (01) and Orin Ford (09) in quick succession. Those dismissals, however, did not seem to faze Jacobs who remained calm and took his chances.
It was game on at 157 for 4 after 19 overs with Malteenoes needing nine runs from the last over and Jacobs on strike.
He eventually ended the game with a six over mid-wicket, which was originally signaled a four by the umpire, who eventually overturned his decision after some deliberation at the behest of a number of disgruntled supports. Jacobs then inside-edged the next delivery for a four down to fine-leg to push his side over the line. They ended on 169 for 5 in 19.5 overs. His match-winning knock included two fours and six sixes.
Malteenoes now have two wins from three games while Everest who conceded their first loss of the tournament, have the same amount of wins.
