-Regal, Spartans undefeated
Centuries from Quintin Sampson and Keyon Sinclair underscored an impressive opening day of the fourth annual Georgetown Cricket League Incorporated’s Prime Minister Cup T20 tournament.
Yesterday at the Queen’s College Ground, the Open category saw both tons being scored in the second round despite overcast conditions, high grass and a muddy outfield.
On pitch three, Ariel XI handed Cross Cutters a 137-run thrashing on the back of Sampson’s ton. Ariel were invited to bat and posted 266 for five from their allotted overs before containing the supermarket-sponsored side to 129 all out in 12.3 overs.
Sampson, a former Essequibo under-19 all-rounder, blasted 15 sixes and three fours on his way to 122. The right-hander’s innings was supported by Eknauth Persaud who hammered five sixes and three fours during his 64-run knock. The pair shared in a third-wicket stand of 150.
In the chase, Arif Samad clubbed five sixes in his top score of 48 but had little support. Sunil Rajbanie picked up five for 23 while Sampson returned to take two for 27.
On pitch two, Berbice-based Spartan All-Stars raced to 242 for nine from their 20-over quota before restricting Bartica Rangers to just 83. Sinclair muscled a dozen sixes and one four, which was powered down the long on boundary off the final delivery of the innings to end with an even 100 not out.
He was supported by Chandrashekar Arjune, who was almost a mere spectator during the onslaught with 35. Asir Husman was the pick of Rangers’ bowling, returning three for 32.
In reply, national all-rounder, Ricardo Adams top scored with 27 but Arjune returned to make the chase almost impossible as he bagged five for 16.
Meanwhile, on pitch one, defending champions Regal All-Stars recorded a 44-run victory over inaugural champions, Speedboat XI in a hyped-up contest.
Regal took first strike, posting 182 for seven from their allotted overs with Sewchand Boodhoo leading the way with 53 not out. Boodhoo’s innings was given the perfect platform to explode as Fazal Rafiek (43) and Richard Latif (31) got Regal off to a flyer with a 62-run opening stand. Greg Singh, Mark Harold and Peter Alleyne picked up two wickets each for Speedboat.
Latif capped off an all-round performance with a match defining five for 18 to halt Speedboat’s pace in the chase. Ameer Yussuf top scored with 28 in his late cameo that featured three sixes and a four. Lindon ‘Assassin’ Marks (28), Alleyne (20) and Shazim Hussain (19) all had starts but failed to convert as Speedboat collapsed to 138 all out in 16.4 overs.
Earlier in the opening round, Regal defeated Ariel by 92 runs in spite of the match being reduced to 16-overs per side due to moisture. Regal won the toss and elected to bat, posting 145 for nine and dismantled a power-packed Ariel for just 53 in 10 overs.
Regal’s batting was piloted by Latif who pummeled seven sixes and four fours during his top score of 69. Ravindra Ramnauth made 16 while Rafiek and Delroy Periera made 15 each.
For Ariel, Brian Mangar was the pick of the bowler with three for 17 while Sampson and Hamnauth Deochand had two wickets each.
The chase was foiled by Roy Persaud who followed up on his 14-run cameo to take five for 19. Diyaram Ramnauth supported with two for 17 as only Eknauth Persaud (16) and Mangar (14) reached double figures.
Speedboat showed their potential in the opening round as they handed Rangers a 123-run defeat. Speedboat raced to 226 for four with Yussuff, batting at seven blasting an unbeaten 80, decorated by 13 sixes. Yussuff was complimented by Shazim Karim and Waqar Hussain with 51 and 40 respectively.
Rangers were limited to 103 for eight with Adams top scoring with 17 and Ayube Defreitas chipping in with 16.
In the final opening round match, Spartans brushed aside Coss Cutters 120 runs. David Williams provided an instrumental 44-run cameo, laced with six fours and four sixes while Andy Narine made 27. Marvin Bob picked up three for 36 while Arjkumar Jairam and Lakeram Latchman bagged two wickets each.
In the chase, Arif Samad provided the only resistance with 16 as Jonathan Fernandes (5-8) and Sinclair (3-12) skittled Coss Cutters for 47 in 11.2 overs.
The action continues today with the third and final round before the semi-finals.
