Cricket lovers will have their hands full as Guyana’s national sport sweeps the nation with action across each county today and tomorrow.
GEORGETOWN ——
Exactly one week after defeating three-time champions, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) for their second Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society (NBS) second-division, 40-overs title, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will begin their 2018/2019 campaign against Diplomats who finished bottom of the table last season but will be looking to make a good impact come tomorrow.
The seventh edition of the tournament will begin with the two teams facing off at the home of the reigning champions, DCC, located in Queenstown from 10.30 hrs. According to Shaun Massiah, Chairman of the Competitions Committee, this marks the first time the tournament will be played with coloured clothing. Additionally, Massiah related that the teams in Group A will be the defending champions, DCC, University of Guyana (UG), Muslim Youth Organization (MYO), Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) and Diplomats while Group B will consist of runners up, GCC, Police Sports Club (PSC), Guyana Defense Force (GDF), Sophia, Ace Warriors, Third Class and Transport Sports Club (TSC).
Meanwhile, in the other GCA competitions, the Noble House Seafoods, two-day, second-division tournament will see GDF hosting UG at Camp Ayangana today and tomorrow in the lone match of the tournament this week.
Also, in the Friends of Cricket 100 overs under-17 tournament, undefeated GCC will battle arch-rivals DCC at GNIC, Bel Air Rubis face MSC at Ogle Sports Club and TSC going up against Georgetown ECO Champs at GYO’s Woolford Avenue location. All action begin from 09.30hrs.
East Coast Demerara ——
Some 10 matches will be played across the East Coast of Demerara at five venues as the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club in collaboration with Banks DIH. Limited bowl off the first round of matches in the Banks Beer 100-ball Cup tomorrow.
At Enterprise Ground, Enterprise B side will first host Enmore CCCC B at 09.30hrs before Enterprise A battle Paradise Sports Club at 13.30hrs.
Over at Strathavon Sports Club, the hosts will play back to back matches, taking on Mahaica Sports Club before facing Beehive Sports Club
At Fairfield, Beehive will face the home team prior to their afternoon match while Mahaica will play against Fairfield before going to Strathavon for their afternoon match.
ECCCC A will utilize the freshly cut outfield at their home venue where they will invite Mahaica Cavaliers first followed by Lusignan East.
Lusignan Community Centre Ground will also have action with the final two matches for the day seeing Lusignan B battle La Bonnie Intention (LBI) in the morning before Lusignan A tackle Enterprise B.
According to the organisers, there will be a slight change in the rule which states “under-19 players who may or likely to be contracted by the GCB [Guyana Cricket Board] are permitted to participate in the competition.”
The tournament, which is sanctioned by the GCB will see only players living on the East Coast of Demerara from Ogle to Mahaicony being eligible to play once they are residing there for a minimum of three months.
Teams are reminded that only GCB Grade ‘A’ or “B’ balls will be used and teams will face their own balls as they attempt to lift the $100,000 first prize along with trophy.
West Demerara —
The West Demerara Cricket Association resumes its President’s Cup 50 overs tournament with Independence A Sports Club taking on Sandpit at Bridge Ground, Ambassadors facing Malvern at Belle Vue Ground and All Youths A Sports Club battling Mc Gill sports Club at Canal number 2 ground. All matches begin at 09.00hrs.
Berbice ——
The Berbice Cricket Board continues to roll out tournaments across the various formats with today seeing the Pepsi 50 overs, first-division tournament unfolding. Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets will face Upper Corentyne at Number 69 ground, Albion will tackle Port Mourant at Port Mourant, Blairmont will square off against Tucber Park at Cumberland, Police will go up against West Berbice at Bath and Young Warriors go toe to toe with Rose Hall Canje at Canje. All matches bowl off from 09.30hrs.
Tomorrow the Skyy Vodka T20 finals will be played at the Number 69 ground with Albion and Skeldon locked in battle for the third place prize from 09.30hrs before Upper Corentyne and Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets get down to business in the final from 13.30hrs.
.South Essequibo —
The South Essequibo Chairman T20 tournament continues at the Pamona Ground with two matches today. DC Warriors will face Crown XI at 10.00hrs while Jaguars will battle Hibernia at 14.00hrs
Central Essequibo—
In the Central Essequibo T20 tournament sponsored by the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee today will see Reliance Hustlers hosting Reliance Sports Club at Reliance and Affiance Sports Club inviting Anna Regina Young Achievers at Affiance for Group A. In group B, Cotton Field Strikers will face Imam Bacchus Sports Club at Reliance and Police Sports Club will battle Queenstown Sports Club at Affiance. The Group A matches will commence at 10.00hrs while the second match will commence at 14.00hrs.
Leguan—
The six-team Davanand Boodhan Memorial T20 tournament kicks off with the Group A clash between Young Warriors and Rangers at Enterprise Ground today before Enterprise Rebels host Satro at the same venue in the group B match up tomorrow. The most runs, most wickets and player of the match will all receive trophies.
