Cricket is set to return today with the Guyana Cricket Board/Tropical Springs Over-40 T20 tournament bowling off across the country.
At a launching yesterday at the GCB’s office, Regent Road, it was revealed that 16 teams from the three counties will be vying for a $250,000 first prize payout along with trophies.
Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie noted that a lot is riding on the tournament coming off incident free since not only locally but regionally, a lot of territories will be looking to assess the safe return of the sport. He urged the teams to exercise caution and practice their Covid-19 regulations with the utmost care.
“I ask that you take more care than ever of yourself and your teammates because we are basically on a test and if we have any issue breaking the Covid-19 regulations or we get any outbreaks or infections God forbid we will have to cancel everything going forward,” he said.
Sanasie also disclosed that unlike normal T20 rules, a bowler will be allowed a maximum of three overs.
Meanwhile, GCB’s Territorial Developmental Officer (TDO), Colin Stuart disclosed that the tournament has gotten the necessary approval and will see all protocols set out by the National Covid-19 Task Force enforced.
Among those protocols are no spectators, sanitization spots at the venue, temperature testing, social distancing for those in the venue and the wearing of masks off the field. On the field, players will be guided by the Cricket West Indies protocol.
“The protocols are not much different from what you see across the country like in the supermarket and so, so you’ll see an area for washing of hands, you’ll have areas to sanitize and so on but we would encourage persons to walk with their own sanitizers and basically there are some additional protocols relating to the umpires and players and the umpires are guided by their council on what they should do and the players through their management are encouraged to strictly adhere to the rules,” Stuart said.
Stuart explained that the rationale to restart the GCB’s tournaments with an Over-40 edition was due to the fact that they are in uncharted waters and maturity as to the regulations is needed.
Sponsor Lalta Gainda of Gain Mart Supermarket reflected on his many years associated with cricket locally, particularly in the softball arena and while Tropical Spring has sponsored softball, this is the first time they are joining the hardball format.
Gainda, who is also representing a team in the competition wished the tournament success and called for the spirit of the game to prevail.
“Tropical Spring is proud to be associated with this and we are making a commitment to do this next year so please have a good time and good luck,” Gainda said.
Today’s action will see eight matches unfolding with two matches per venue at 9.30 hours and 13.45 hours respectively. In Berbice, Jai Hind Ground will see General Marine Masters taking on Jai Hind Masters in the morning while Sarjoo Tigers will battle West Berbice Masters. Over in Essequibo, at Imam Bacchus Ground, Reliance Sports Club will lock horns with Invaders Masters in the opening match before Imam Bacchus Over-40 tackle Jaguars Over-40.
In Demerara, Everest Masters will host WD Masters in the morning and KV Constructions Masters are set to face Regal Masters. At Enmore, WD Mavericks and RP Construction Legends will go up against each other before Sand Piper Masters face Bel-Air Rubis Ultra Tech.
