Cornelia Ida Cricket Club held its nerve to pull off a three-wicket win over McGill Super Stars in the final of the West Demerara Cricket Association/Beacon Café 50-over final at Wales Community Centre ground, yesterday.
Played in front of a packed, vocal pavilion, under glorious sunshine, CI won the toss and invited McGill to bat on a damp wicket. McGill were shot out for 97 in 37 overs while CI reached 100 for seven in 35.4 overs.
McGill’s batting was kept at bay by CI’s spinners, led by left-arm orthodox, Mohamed Wazidali and Harrinarine Bissondyal who each took three wickets for seven runs. The duo was supported by national player, Akshaya Persaud, who took two for 26 from his 10 overs.
Former national youth captain, Travis Persaud, top scored with a 28-ball 22, featuring three fours and one six before he was caught at first slip by Vaickesh Dhaniram off of Persaud. His brother, Troy chipped in with 17 while Balram Aaron (15) and Diquan Murray (12) were the only batsmen with double figure scores.
In the chase, CI lost their two openers by the second over but Arshad Azim (27) and Richie Looknauth (11) consolidated and led their side to 32 for two when lunch was taken.
The pair added 36 for the third wicket before Murray was introduced and uprooted Azim’s middle stump. Looknauth soon followed with a half-hearted flick into the hands of Keshram Seyhodan at short fine leg off of Abdul Razzack (2-20) to see his side 49 for four. CI then lost three more wickets without a run scored.
Player of the match, Dhaniram came to the crease and led CI over the line with an unbeaten 25 after being dropped on six, resulting in his lone boundary.
The right hander added 34 for the seventh wicket alongside Richard Sukdeo, who made 15 before being trapped leg before wicket by Murray (2-20).
After the match, skipper of the losing team, Sudesh Persaud, said the match was keenly contested despite the low score but reckoned that the toss was a critical one to lose. The captain congratulated the winners on their victory.
Meanwhile, successful skipper, Akshaya Persaud thanked the organisers and sponsors for a well-organised tournament while crediting the lower order players for holding their nerves and seeing their side to victory.
