Canadian team satisfied with Guyana Softball Cup 7 experience

By Ravi Madholalll in Toronto

Despite his expression of disappointment skipper of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), Ravin Babulall stated the team showed great character in executing their duties with the white ball at the 2017 Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Guyana Softball Cup 7 three-day tournament.
Babulall mentioned the OSCL will have to include the white ball in one of its three annual tournaments (20, 15 or 10-over) in 2018 so the players can be more equipped to compete at these mega softball events in which the white ball is used.
According to the Babulall, OSCL side featured in three matches at the preliminary round stage but only contested in two games with the other one being a walkover. They were beaten by Speedboat by 80 runs and then they went down to Boots XI by 60 runs.

Babulall declared that doesn’t resonate well for the Canadian combination but feels better preparation is of paramount importance to compete on the international stage.
“Yes, we are disappointed with the results without a win, even though we had a good team; the white ball needs to use more in Canada if we want to make an impression at these white ball softball tournaments,” he commented.
In the Open Category, Speedboat pulled off a thrilling four-run victory over new comers Boots XI in the championship game that played last Sunday night at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Georgetown while Floodlights retained their trophy in the Masters Division having humbled nemesis Regal Masters team also at the same venue.
Speedboat took home G$800, 000 while the veterans pocketed G$600, 000.
Babulall also lamented that the playing fields in Guyana’s capital were also at their disadvantage being a bit small comparing to those in Canada.
“I think the grounds in Guyana are too small for this kind of softball competition and we are accustomed to playing at big grounds was a main downfall; I think we played well having bowled out Speedboat XI really showed that we had a team that could have been victorious,” the Canadian-based Guyanese, reckoned.
He also related that since the OSCL may not get all its good players to attend to tournament overseas, he will still be committed to have players representing the League to participate in upcoming tournaments like Florida Cup (March), Orlando Cup (March), New York Cup (July) and back to Guyana (November) in 2018.
“I think going out there and put in some good performances were certainly commendable by the players who were willing but we will use the experience gained in Guyana for in other tournaments next year.” Babulall, who featured for Three Counties/Wakenaam this season, stated.
Some of the players turned out for the OSCL side Travis Blyden, Steve Ramdass, Roy Gonsalves, Bharrat Lachman, among others, all who represented various teams at OSCL competitions, while former Guyana first-class opening batsman Azeemul Haniff came in as a guest player. Babulall thanked the players for their commitment and the OSCL executives who toured with the team.