Baldeo’s century, Hicks’ heroics seal victory for RHT Tigers
BCB/Premium Asphalt/T&R Construction T20…
Story and photos by Brandon Corlette
It was some clean ball striking from Balchand Baldeo and Delbert Hicks as the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Tigers won their first Second-Division title.
Playing at Area H Ground against Chesney on Sunday, it was the Tigers who clinched the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Premium Asphalt T&R Construction 2019 T20 championship in a 10-wicket win.
Player of the match, Baldeo struck a scintillating unbeaten 116 while the veteran Hicks slammed an undefeated 77 in pursuit of 196 in 20 overs. Earlier, Chesney were asked to bat first and posted 195-2 in 20 overs, with Youardan Gurdayal hitting an unbeaten 99, laced with six maximums and two fours.
The winning Rose Hall Town Tigers
He was supported by Imran Khan, the former Stanford T20 cricketer, who struck 43. Saif Latchana made 25 and the aggressive Naresh Kisson made a four-ball 17. Bowling for the Tigers, Therbhuwan Jagdeo claimed 1-23 in his four overs while Leroy Bristol had 1-29 in his full quota.
Chesney had a slow start, scoring 32 in their power play, but finished with 114 runs in their last 10 overs in the fairly small ground. In response, the right-handed Baldeo and the classy left-handed Hicks took the Chesney men to the cleaners. The onslaught began with Hicks, who fearlessly took Khan for 24 in the first over of the chase as Tigers ended the power play on 82-0.
Delbert Hicks cut loose for the Tigers early
Hicks kept the heat on as Baldeo slowly came out of his shell and dominated the bowling. He slammed five sixes and nine fours in his brilliant 116 while the dangerous Hicks struck six maximums and five fours in his unbeaten 77, sealing the match with a six off the jaded Khan, who bowled seven balls that yielded 30 runs. Tigers ended on 201-0 in 16.1 overs of power hitting and the occasional touch.
The match was played under strict COVID-19 guidelines and this final marked the 18th completed by the BCB thus far. The winning team were awarded a cheque and a trophy while the Player of the Match was awarded a medal and a cheque. The runners-up also received a cheque and a trophy.
