The Guyana Amazon Warriors lost their second practice match by five runs to the Select XI last evening, the game decided by an exciting super over at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence East Bank Demerara.
The defeat might be a bit of a worry for the technical staff heading into their opening match later this week.
Anthony Bramble, who was not selected for this year’s edition of the tournament, was a thorn in the Warriors’ flesh after he smashed 37 not out to carry the game into a super over where he and skipper, Leon Johnson, took Mohamed Ali’s one over for 15 runs after Bramble continued his liking for him by slapping him over mid-wicket for six while Johnson scoped the bowler for four.
Paul Wintz then trapped skipper, Martian Guptill LBW off the first ball of Warriors’ reply to dent their chances. Steven Taylor however, came out swinging and smashed a six which was not enough take his side over the line.
The Amazon Warriors had earlier won the toss and elected to bat. They found themselves in early trouble at 36 for three in the seventh over with Guptill (8) and Taylor (9); both back in the hut off the bowling of Romario Shepherd while Steven Katwaroo (1) fell to young Sherfane Rutherford.
Babar Azam, who survived two close calls and Azad Fudadin, however, labored to 49 for 2 at the half way point with Babar on 22 and Fudadin on five after tidy spells from seamers, Wintz and Shepherd.
Azam, however, was dismissed for 29 from 36 balls by Gudakesh Motie to leave the score on 62 for four in the 13th over. The Amazon Warriors, who were now in need of quick runs with seven overs remaining, were rescued by teenager, Keemo Paul who ended on 36 not out from 17 balls an innings which included four towering sixes and a solitary four.
Paul smoked left-arm spinner Anthony Adams for 24 runs off the penultimate over and 12 runs off the final over which included a huge six over Shepherd’s head to end the innings on 123 for six from their 20 overs.
Shepherd, however, was the pick of the bowlers for the Select XI after grabbing 2 for 30 from four overs while Eon Hooper, Motie, Rutherford and Adams all took one wicket apiece.
The Select Xi began their reply in lukewarm fashion after Robin Bacchus (4) pulled Ali for four off the very first ball but then was adjudged LBW off the very next delivery. Rajendra Chandrika (23) and Tevin Imlach (17), then added 31 runs for the second wicket before Imlach was LBW to Verasammy Permaul while Chandrika held out to long off off the bowling of Paul with a score on 50.
Skipper Johnson (19) and Bramble came together to add 36 runs to take the Select XI closer to their target before Johnson was dismissed with the score on 88-5 in the 17th over. Bramble continued his merry way by easing Ali over long on for six and a four through mid-wicket in the 17th over to push the score to 100.
They, however, lost Rutherford (5) and Shepherd (3) and with with 14 runs to get from the final over, Bramble smashed Keon Joseph back over his head for six off the fifth delivery to leave the Select Xi needing four to get from the final ball. Joseph, however, delivered a wide which brought the target down to three runs needed from one delivery.
Warriors almost had the game in the bag when Bramble skied the final delivery down to third man but the ball went in and out of Ali’s hands to send the game into a super over after the scores were tied at 123. Bramble finished on a breezy 37.
Ali was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4-23 from four overs. The Warriors will play their final practice match today from 11:00 am at the same venue.
