Despite torrential rainfall until 11am, once the sun came out, bowlers relished the conditions in the second Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 franchise match at Providence, yesterday.
Rain did not let up as dark clouds hovered over the venue that has often been considered as the fastest drying venue in the West Indies and it lived up to its name with play possible at 13.00 hours, a mere two hours after the massive showers.
When the groundstaff removed the covers, the officials decided that the contest will see 13 players per side featuring in a 27-over affair.
General Marine Eagles won the toss and asked Amazon Hawks to bat. Hawks were contained to 120 for 13 from 26.5 overs. Eagles, in reply, were freefalling but three consecutive boundaries from Daniel Mootoo in the penultimate over saw them reach 124 for 12 in 26 overs.
Moisture in the pitch after it was dampened on Saturday and without adequate sunlight saw the spinners thriving in the conditions.
Transport Sports Club off-spinner, Alvin Mohabir, extracted enough turn and bounce to clip the wings of the Hawks batting order. He ended with 4-18 from 4.5 overs.
The pacers were also in top form early on with West Indies Under-16 seamer, Isai Thorne (3-26) showing his control and pace against unsuspecting batsman.
The Rose Hall Canje quick broke the edge of dangerman, Rampertab Ramnauth’s bat with a delivery that pitched on a good length and moved just a fraction away from the left-hander before settling comfortably in the gloves of Oren Gibson.
Thorne also bagged the wicket of explosive batsman, Shemar Yearwood, who was looking ultra-aggressive, hitting the slender seamer for consecutive boundaries before having his off-stump uprooted.
Nicko Vincent with his slingy action was also spot on with his length to end with 2-30.
Hawks had some success with skipper, Marvan Prashad at the crease. He played himself in and capitalized on loose deliveries with six boundaries before being bowled by left-arm spinner, Chandrapaul Ramraj for 34 from 35 balls.
Collis Noble, batting at number 11, tried valiantly and warranted a place higher up the batting order with his straight drives and ability to read the field, finishing on 16 not out while Thaddeus Lovell and Leon Cecil chipped in with 14 runs each.
In the chase, Fairfield fast bowler, Trevon Charles (2-30) impressed with his bounce and carry which deceived Anthony Khan. He followed up with a low delivery that Mavindra Dindyal inside edged to the wicketkeeper to leave Eagles pitching at 20 for three.
Left-arm spinner, Gourav Ramesh, enjoyed a bit of cat and mouse with the batsmen and worked in tandem with his Albion club-mate, Cecil.
Ramesh bagged 3-30 including the wicket of top scorer, Chaitram Balgobin (29) who smashed Ramesh for a six over mid-wicket off his first delivery.
Cecil also took three wickets for 25 runs while Zachary Jodah ran through his overs, making it difficult for the batsmen to score and ended with 2-15.
With Hawks locked on target, requiring 15 from the final two overs, Mootoo dismantled Charles’ return over to seal victory. Hawks were also loose in their bowling, giving away 25 extras.
The tournament continues on Saturday with Falcons taking on Hawks at 09.30 hours.
