A blistering 178 not out from Keith Fraser in the final ensured Fishermen won the Over-45 title in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated’s fourth Prime Minister T20 tournament and in doing so he fulfilled his promise to the team.
The Belladrum, West Berbice native Fraser, has been a name popular among the softball fraternity for years but he had not won a title despite his reputation and playing for several teams in past editions. However, at the Everest Cricket Club Sunday, he hammered 13 sixes and 13 fours, dishing out sweeps and reverse sweeps at will against Wellman to secure his maiden title in the tournament.
The left hander amassed 274 runs while taking two wickets and, in the process, walked away with a 50-inch Smart television, a new bat and the Most Valuable Player award in that category.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport on the sidelines after a remarkable innings, Fraser explained:“We had a plan when we came out and it worked out. I knew the team depended on me so I was happy to come out.”
Fraser felt at the half-way stage 240 runs was enough but with Greg De Franca carving out a spirited century and Troy Lewis piloting a fight back with a fine half century, the match was slipping out of their hands. Then two crucial wickets shifted the match back in Fishermen’s favour as they secured a three-run win in the end.
“It was a both-way game,” he said.
“The team was batting well, we aren’t a team to give up so once we got the breakthrough we pulled back things and in the end it worked out in our favor,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey to championship glory, Fraser explained that it was only recently he joined forces with this team.
“I told them I will bring home the title once I am in the team,” he recalled telling his teammates.
Summarising the tournament, Fraser said, “It wasn’t a bad series for me because I was preparing for this a little while now and I expected it to come out successful and I worked hard. I came out and played my natural role and gave it my best.”
However, the uncertainly of the tournament coming off, hovered over his head due to the weather and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, Fraser kept pushing and eventually believed the regulations set out under the new guidelines to have no spectators was the best possible way to have cricket restarted and worked in everyone’s favour.
