-MP Jafferally renews sponsorship for 2023.
The D’ Edward Cricket Club last Sunday successfully defended their BCB/Jafferally MP West Berbice 20/20 title when they easily defeated their Achievers counterparts by eight wickets in a match played at the Shieldstown Ground in front of a large and colourful crowd.
Tournament sponsor Faizul Jaferally, MP, and President of the West Berbice Cricket Association, David Black, having spoken to both teams before the game commenced, D’ Edward CC, under dynamic leadership of Jaipaul Heeralall, won the toss and elected to field on a lightning-fast outfield.
Achievers were rocked with the departure of Quacy McPherson for a duck in the very first over, when the score was at 1 for 1; and it took a crucial innings of 63 from the experienced Raffel Estraudo to steady the Achievers’ ship after the talented Shamal Angel was dismissed for 10 with the score being at 32 for 2 in the 6th over.
Estraudo struck five delightful boundaries and received support from Atherley Bailey and Carlton Nurse, whose respective scores of 16 and 22 helped to rescue the Achievers from the position of 130 for 4 to eventually being all out for 155 scored in 18.2 overs.
Bowling for D’ Edward, Rickey Moore took 3 for 27 from 3.3 overs, Navindra Rampersaud took 2 for 36, and Akash Harrilall took 2 for 22. Devendra Lalsa and Keith Fraser each took a wicket, for 29 and 25 runs respectively.
In response, D’ Edward CC raced to 78 without loss in the tenth over, as Altaz Khan and Romesh Boodram savaged the Achievers bowling attack. Khan was dismissed for 31 by Stephen Adams off the fourth ball of the eleventh over, when the score was at 78 for one.
Boodram was joined by K. Bissoondyal, and they took the score to 143 before Bissoondyal was dismissed for 33. Victory came in the 18th over when Boodram smashed Angel for a huge six to end on 71 not out, while Heeralall Bridgelall was eight not out.
BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a resounding success, and also expressed gratitude to the Government Member of Parliament Jafferally for his sponsorship of the tournament.
A total of 14 teams had participated in the tournament, and Foster informed the gathering that the countywide BCB/Dave West Indian 40-Over tournament would start on Sunday, November 13, with more than 90 teams.
MP Faizal Jafferally has hailed the outstanding leadership of Foster, and announced to loud applause that he would continue the sponsorship of the tournament and a Cricket Trust Fund once Foster remains head of the BCB.
Jafferally also congratulated D’ Edward on retaining their title, and wished Achievers all the best in the future.
Other speakers at the presentation ceremony were BCB Competition Chairman Leslie Soloman and WBCA President David Black. The winning team and runner up received trophies and financial prizes. Romesh Boodram was named Best Batsman and Player of the Finals, while Ricky Moore copped the Best Bowler Award.
