A highly-competitive Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Carib Beer T20 final is anticipated today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) when the host take on archrivals – the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).
The battle is set to bowl off from 13:00hrs with both teams, who are almost at full strength, fancying their chances.
Some of Guyana’s most talented and exciting players will take to the field with the likes of Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Ronsford Beaton and Sherfane Rutherford – all billed to heat things up today.
GCC will be led by the tactically astute National Skipper, Johnson, who believes that the final will present another intense battle between the two clubs. “No doubt the game will be intense on Saturday [today] on the field; it always is when two clubs with a great history meet,” Johnson, who this year, guided Guyana to their fourth consecutive regional four – day title, told Stabroek Sport.
He also believes that his side possesses the ideal balance to take them over the line.
“We have a good shot at winning it this year. We finished runners-up in the two previous years, and I would love to go one better this year in my final game as captain of the side.
“We have a well-balanced team with a lot of experienced players such as myself, Vishaul Singh, Ronsford Beaton, Robin Bacchus, Anthony Adams, Jeetendra Sookdeo and Winston Forester and a couple of good young players such as Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, Martin Pestano-Bell and Devon Lord,” the 30-year old stated, while noting both teams are starting even despite his side having the home advantage.
Meanwhile, Jamaican Scorpions opener, Trevon Griffith, who last weekend, warmed up for today’s final with a savage innings of 93 against Police, indicated that DCC’s chances would lean on the shoulders of the club’s younger players who have it within them to deliver.
“Players like Ashmead Nedd, [Raymond] Perez who singlehandedly won the semifinals for us against Everest, the skipper himself [Chris Barnwell] who is a household name in T20 cricket along with the other young stars, will have to do it for us,” Griffith noted.
He added that while it’s just another game of cricket, it is imperative for DCC to apply the basics and to “do the simple things correct.”
It is indeed shaping up to be a tantalising final with a number of players having a point to prove. For starters, Barnwell, who had a decent regional limited overs tournament and was subsequently overlooked for this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), will certainly hope to record a significant performance.
Rutherford, on the other hand, who was bought by the Guyana Amazon Warriors, will have the opportunity to display what he is capable of.
It will also be West Indies fast bowler Ronsford Beaton’s first local match after being called for a suspected bowling action, as the match provides an opportunity to monitor his remedial work.
