Despite an impressive all-round performance, Mark Montfort has downplayed his cameo but credited a collective team effort for the Vikings team which won the Toronto District Super 9 tournament in Canada.
Vikings defeated Centurions by six wickets last weekend at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground. Centurions took first strike, posting 176-8 in their 36-over quota.
The Guyanese quartet of Montfort (2-50), Jeremy Gordon (2-46), Raj Nanan (1-25) and Royston Crandon (1-25) were the principal bowlers.
In reply, another local boy, Rajendra Chandrika took the lead with the bat with a top score of 60. His 70-ball innings was laced with five boundaries, one of which went for six.
Chandrika was supported by Montfort who made 48 from 52 deliveries, the partnership producing 76 runs for the third wicket.
Crandon, who led the side, was unbeaten on 16 while Nanan was not out on two at the end.
After the celebrations, Montfort spoke to Stabroek Sport and reflected on the match as well as the championship run.
The left-handed batsman explained, “It’s an amazing feeling winning a championship with a bunch of guys who played hard cricket and developed a family atmosphere within the team,” he said.
He also indicated that playing a winning hand after joining the club this season “is a truly amazing feeling.”
Montfort toned down his clinical performance, opting to credit the win as “a total team effort.”
Looking at final, Montfort posited that it was Gordon who got the side off to a flyer to which Centurions were unable to recover.
“We got an amazing start from Jeremy Gordon who picked up two wickets in his first over which set the pace for the rest of the game. Our bowling set the tone of the game which set up a pretty moderate run chase for us,” he said.
Reflecting on the entire season, the 34-year-old opined, “As a team I’m most pleased with the way we handled adversity and stuck together as one to triumph with another championship and personally, I’m most pleased with the way I bounced back after having a terrible season both on-and-off the field.”
Montfort, who made his debut for Canada back in August, explained that this performance was important to him since it is a testament to his ability and demonstrates what he has to offer to any team he represents.
