Table leaders, West Berbice and defending champions, Essequibo clash will highlight the third round action in the SBF Petroleum/Cricket Guy Inc., Jaguars 50-over Franchise League today at the Bush Lot ground.
West Berbice flattened East Coast in the first round before easing past East Bank in their second round clash with all-rounder, Kevin Sinclair pulling out Man-of-the-Match performances in both games.
The right-handed batsman is yet to be dismissed with scores of 36 and 56 respectively.
He has also proven to be a handful with the ball
with his off-spin taking four wickets at an economy rate of a fraction over two.
With his opening partner, Leon Andrews, the pair has been able to get their side off to positive starts and with the inclusion of West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, the top order is poised to set decent foundations for the explosive lower order, featuring the likes of Javed Karim and company.
Like West Berbice, Essequibo has also had strong starts with two bonus points as well, mainly due to Kemol Savory who has scored 81 and 37 respectively but it is their ability to work as a team that has set them above the rest.
It was Ricardo Adams’ all-round exploits that led them to a massive second-round win over West Demerara while Anthony and Akinie Adams have spun webs around oppositions in both contests.
Together with the fierce bowling of Ronsford Beaton, the bowling attack looks imposing but so does West Berbice who have Keon Joseph as their ace seamer.
When the two meet today at Bush Lot, it would be a repeat of last season’s final round which West Berbice won, handing Essequibo their only loss that season although the Cinderella County had already secured the championship.
Essequibo skipper, Anthony Adams told Stabroek Sport that the contest is going to be a keenly contested clash with a lot to play for since one of the two sides will go ahead on points and move one step closer to the title.
The captain brushed off the loss last year stating that it was in the past and now it is time to focus on the future and the game at hand.
He credited the efforts of Beaton and Savory but predicted that the side is full of match winners who can turn up at any time and deliver when needed.
Meanwhile, West Berbice skipper, Hetmyer said his team will be taking it one game at a time and stick to playing the game with discipline.
He noted that the younger players have stepped up and made their contributions, something he believes is the difference between his side and the rest of the competition.
In the other contests, undefeated West Demerara
will come up against East Bank at Tuschen while Lower Corentyne, who are also undefeated, have a chance to extend their lead when they play Georgetown, who are looking for their first win at Georgetown Cricket Club.
Upper Corentyne and East Coast will clash at Enmore Community Center and will see one of these teams earning their first points of the competition.
