BCB/Stag Beer 50-Overs bowls off Saturday

The Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) First Division season for 2019 will commence on September 14 with the hosting of the Stag Beer 50-Overs Round Robin Tournament.
The tournament was originally due to start in May, 2019, but was postponed because a prolonged rainy season had left most grounds in an unplayable state.
The 11 teams in Berbice have been divided into three zones. West Berbice, Blairmont Community Centre and Tucber Park are in Zone ‘A’. Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, and Police Sports Club are in Zone ‘B’. Zone ‘C’ consists of Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon.
The top two teams from each zone will advance to the playoffs, where they will be involved in a knockout phase to reach the finals.
Berbice Cricket Board President (BCB) President Hilbert Foster disclosed that the 2019 First Division season is expected to consist of 50-Overs, 40-Overs, 20/20 and the historic Two-Day Tournament.
Albion and arch-rivals Rose Hall Town will start as pre-tournament favourites, but challenges are expected from Tucber Park, Blairmont Community Centre, and Young Warriors.
Among the players expected to participate in this tournament are Romario Shepherd, Devandra Bishoo, Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Foo, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Garfield Benjamin, Shimron Hetmyer, Alex Algoo, Demetri Cameron, Rishi Persaud, Javed Karim and Kevin Sinclair.
Teams are reminded that walkovers would be granted half-hour after the scheduled start of play, while captains will forfeit their rights to the toss if they are not present at the venue by 09:15 hours, to allow for a prompt 09:30 start.
Teams are required to be properly attired, and the host teams are to provide snacks and refreshments both to teams and to the umpires. Only Berbicians are allowed to participate in this tourney.