Jamaica, Trinidad record convincing opening wins

Les Harris Teachers T20…

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago started their campaign in the Les Harris Teachers T20 Cricket Tournament positively with comprehensive victories against Guyana and Bahamas respectively at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) here in Georgetown on Tuesday.
The lads from The Land of Wood and Water were too good for the players coming out of the Land of Many Waters thus recorded a comfortable 83 run victory while Trinidad and Tobago defeated Bahamas by 95 runs on a hot day in the capital City.
In the first challenge, the Jamaicans won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that was conducive for batting. They scored a mammoth total of 184-6 from their allotted 20 overs. Gavaskar Malachi was their principal scorer with 63 inclusive of six powerful hits over the boundary and four fours. He received invaluable support from former First class player Keith Hibbert, who played aggressively for 49 and Dwight Stewart 29.
Fast bowler Kevin Paul and Festus Benn claimed two wickets apiece for the hosts while the other bowlers were hammered to all part of the ground. Inconceivably, talented all-rounders Ranole Bourne neither Darnell Douglas was given a chance to bowl.
In their reply, Guyana folded for 101 with only Douglas 51 and Bacram Samaroo 18 making it to double figures.
Jamaica skipper Carl Brissett 4-8 spearheaded their bowling attack while Malachi 2-13 and Gerald Morgan supported with two wickets apiece.
In the afternoon clash, Trinidad batted first to record a competitive total of 169-4 from 20 overs then dismissed Bahamas for 74 in 15 overs.
Christopher Siewsankar, who batted at number three, was the leading scorer for Trinidad with 60, including two sixes and three fours. While his colleagues Lester Hanooman 27, Vinood Maharaj 26 and Kirti Kalpoo 19 chipped in.
Maharaj and Kalpoo added 41 for the first wicket, before the latter was removed making way for Siewsankar, who joined Maharaj to add 29 for the second wicket. After Maharaj was sent packing Siewsankar and Hanooman joined forces for the biggest partnership of the match which was worth 93 runs.
That combination set the platform for the Trinidadian bowlers to defend a competitive total and they did, dismissing their counterparts for a paltry 74.
Dehan Seeram collected three scalps while Siewsankar returned to take two to close off a good day at the office with bat and ball.
When Bahamas was in the field, Lee Melville, John Dolphin and Hinchand Rampersaud bagged a wicket each.
The tournament is set for Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground at Camp Ayanganna today with host Guyana looking to bounce back, after their first round defeat, in a keen contest with Trinidad and Tobago while Bahamas will face Jamaica.