The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) XI romped to a comprehensive win over the American Cricket Society (ACS) on Tuesday afternoon at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) Ground in Georgetown.
Opposing the Guyanese team, mainly comprised of a number of national cricketers, the ACS were in for more than they bargained, coming up 76 runs short after being bowled out by the GCB XI in their chase.
Leading from the front was Guyanese Captain Keemo Paul, who blasted a classy 70 from 35 balls, comprising three fours and seven sixes. In tandem with Paul’s innings was one from Under-19 sensation Matthew Nandu, who struck an unbeaten 68 from 70 balls. Nandu smashed four boundaries in his anchor-like innings.
The partnership acted as the fuel to get Guyana to 251-9 in their allotted 35 overs. Nial Smith was the pick of the ACS bowlers, claiming 3-31 in seven overs. Assad Fudadin also picked up three wickets, for 35 runs in four overs. Trinson Carmichael, Karan Ganesh, and Damion Jacobs had one scalp each.
In the chase, ACS got off to a fiery start as Akshay Homraj and Dominique Rikki smashed boundaries in all directions, before the 88-run first-wicket partnership was broken by Anthony Adams. Backed by cheers from the boisterous crowd, Homraj raced to 54 from 39 balls, inclusive of five fours and three sixes.
Rikki, in a bid to keep the chase alive, eventually fell short of his half-century, notching 44 from 54 balls, embellished by two fours and one maximum. Try as they may, ACS were soon overpowered by the GCB XI, succumbing for 175 all out.
Both Adams and Gudakesh Motie claimed three wickets (3-27 and 3-21 from 7 overs respectively), as Akshaya Persaud pitched in with 2-10 from his three.
The ACS have so far played a string of matches in Guyana, but their contest with the GCB XI was a one-off event.