Mark Jeffers defended three runs from the last delivery to help Zeeburg defeat Cornelia Ida Cricket Club (CI) by two runs and take the West Demerara Cricket Association President’s T20 Cup Saturday at the Zeeburg ground.
Zeeburg won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 203-9 from their allotted overs before restricting CI to 201-8.
In front of the vibrant crowd of around 300, Malcom Hubbard’s 66 provided the base for Zeeburg to build a big total after they lost Ronaldo Renee to off-spinner Richie Looknauth in the second over.
Hubbard immediately got to work, taking Looknauth for 17 runs in the same over. He smashed five fours and five sixes in his 41-ball innings.
Hubbard shared in a 48-run partnership with Balbinder Shivpersaud (22) and a 45-run stand with Ushardiva Balgobin who clobbered three sixes and a one four during his 15-ball 29.
Looknauth ended with 4-43 from four overs while Akshaya Persaud and Naveed Ali took one wicket each as 36 extras pushed Zeeburg over 200.
In reply, Persaud tore into the Zeeburg bowling attack with a boundary-laced 48-ball 98. The national player stroked 11 sixes and four fours, predominantly through the mid-wicket region.
He was joined by Looknauth, the two sharing a 65-run second wicket stand before Looknauth was run out for 25. The 21-year-old left-hander then put on a partnership of 52 with Ali. Persaud missed out on his century after faintly edging a delivery from Gomes into the hands of Renee diving to his left behind the stumps.
Seamer Jason Gomes took 3-27 and Hubbard 2-33.
After the match, Persaud said he felt his team was in it at the half way stage and told them to just back themselves. He, however, was of the opinion that his wicket was the turning point of the game.
Meanwhile, successful skipper, Jeffers said that it was a good feeling to come out on top in a thrilling match adding that he felt 200 plus was a good enough total.
However, he admitted that Persaud was stroking the ball sweetly and it all came down to the wire when he asked his team to give him 10 runs to defend. He added that he did not mind having to defend six despite going for 22 runs in his first over, stating that he backed himself to bring his team over the line.
Speaking at the presentation, President of the WDCA, Anand Sanasie expressed his satisfaction with the nail-biting contest.
Sanasie commended Jeffers for his splendid final over and thanked both teams for showcasing the spirit of cricket, indicating that there will be the unveiling of three more tournaments this week.
