GCB/Betcage National T20 League
By Michaelangelo Jacobus
All-rounder Carlos La Rose turned in a solid performance with bat and ball to push the Demerara Hawks to a 7-wicket win over the Berbice Caimans when action continued in the GCB/Betcage Sports National T20 League. Playing at the GCB’s LBI Facility on the East Coast of Demerara, the Caimans won the toss and elected to bat.
They then proceeded to produce an abysmal performance with the bat, as the Hawks led by La Rose and Ezekiel Wilson struck frequently while maintaining a stranglehold on runs.
By the 11th over of the Caiman innings, they were in dire straits at 35/5 with Wilson leading the line with three pivotal strikes, removing opener Shamal Angel (5), Ronaldo Renee (1) and Rivaldo Phillips for a duck to break the backbone of the Caimans’ batting order. La Rose meanwhile bowled Shaquille Williams (1) while Sachin Singh (14), too, was removed via the same way by Chanderpaul Ramraj.
The second half of the Caiman’s innings was not much better, but U19 wicket-keeper batsman Shamar Apple played a crucial cameo of 22 from 20 balls to help push his team to 85 all out in 19.5 overs. While Apple struck three fours during his stay at the crease, he was removed by Chris Harry who also snapped up the wicket of Matthew Pottaya.
La Rose on the other hand cleaned up the tail, trapping Jonte Thomas (2) Leg Before Wicket and bowling Riyad Latif (11) to put the Caimans out of their misery. He ended with 3/11 from 3.5 overs while Wilson snared a miserly 3/6 from his four overs. The duo was well supported by Harry and Ramraj who had two wickets each.
In response, the Hawks hardly broke a sweat, strolling to victory in 13 overs with seven wickets to spare. Opener Shamar Yearwood fell early, bowled by Pottaya for 12 to leave the Hawks at 26/1 in the third over while Adrian Hinds was bowled by Kwesi Mickle for a run-a-ball 22 with the score at 41.
However, the loss of the openers did not derail the run-chase as La Rose, batting at number four, played a steady hand of 23 not out (23 balls, 4sx2, 6sx1) to guide the Hawks to a resounding victory. While Brandon Jaikarran (13) was the other Hawks batsman to be dismissed, Jeremiah Scott (6 not out) kept La Rose’s company as they knocked off the target with seven overs to spare.
For his all-round effort, La Rose received the Man of the Match award. The competition continues today with the Caimans looking to rebound against the Essequibo Anacondas at the same venue. That game is slated to bowl off at 7 pm.
