Austin, Gonsalves hit centuries as Reliance Hustlers end successful T&T tour

Mark Austin and Mark Gonsalves hit stroke-filled centuries to help Reliance Hustlers Sports Club beat Cosmos Cricket Club by a resounding 158-run margin on Monday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
It was Hustlers’ third and final match on their maiden trip to the Twin Island Republic.

Austin, the former Essequibo Inter-County opening batsman, struck 102 and retired hurt, while Gonsalves also retired hurt after making 101.
The Essequibo-based team Reliance Hustlers galloped to a massive 279–3 at the end of the 30 overs while the Cosmos Cricket Club boys were all out for 121 in the final over. Hustlers had won the toss and opted to take first knock.
Austin and vice-captain Narendra Madholall shared a steady 55-run opening stand. Madholall made 18 before Austin and Gonsalves put on a pulsating, 193-run second-wicket partnership.
Nathan Persaud contributed 21 not out for the visitors.
When the Trinidadians batted, Dave Mohamed scored 20 as off-spinner and skipper Trevis Simon grabbed two runs off one over.
There was one wicket apiece for Bheesham Seepersaud, Austin, Eknauth Persaud, Zachariah Madholall and Mark Gonsalves Sr supporting Simon.
Austin was named Player of the Match.
Meanwhile, this was the only 30-over fixture. In the two T20 matches, Hustlers defeated Munroe Cricket Club by one run and then Transbrokerage X1 by five wickets.
Simon took the opportunity to thank his fellow players for their commitment to travel to Trinidad and Tobago and hailed their effort on-field as well, winning all three games.
He was grateful to the organisers in Trinidad and Tobago, especially Beesham Sagar, and similar sentiments were echoed to the people back in Guyana for their support in making this historical trip a success.
Azim Bassarath, Vice President of Cricket West Indies and president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, met the two teams before the encounter. He congratulated them for having such a wonderful initiative and encouraged Reliance Hustlers to visit and play cricket on an annual basis.
Sports journalist, analyst and commentator Brij Parasnath was also at Brian Lara Cricket Academy and told the players to enjoy the game and stay in Trinidad and Tobago. Parasnath is a Trinidad-based Guyanese and has been in the media since 1985.