Mercenary win as Canada-based Guyanese cricketers perform well

Mercenary continued their dominance of the competition at the invitational match, trouncing an Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) All-Stars X1 by 70 runs on Saturday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.
The match was organised by the OSCL as part of their fun day, which included a kiddie’s match at the same facility. Their annual presentation also took place just after the conclusion of the 20 overs game.

Mercenary won the toss and opted to take first knock in glorious sunshine. They uncharacteristically struggled to 133 all out from their 20 overs. Their bowling effort was, however, phenomenal, as they restricted the All-Stars team to a modest 63 all out in 15 overs.
Anand Gurdial grabbed three wickets for 19 runs from his maximum four overs, while Amit Rukhram proved his versatility by taking two wickets for one run off 2.3 overs, after hitting a top-score of 39 for Mercenary.

Stalwart player the veteran Bobby Parasnauth bowled excellently and accounted for two early wickets that initiated the collapse. Parasnauth eventually conceded 12 runs off three terrific overs.
Only All Stars skipper the former Guyana youth player Troy Gobin offered any resistance by making 22, as no other batsman reached double-figures.
After skipper the Berbician Looknauth Ramsuchit won the toss, the innings never suggested permanence, as they were at one stage placed disastrously at 56-5. Rukhram and Ramsuchit (11), however, helped rebuild the innings by engaging in a fighting 32-run six-wicket stand. Experienced batsman Riaz Kadir made 15 under the circumstances. Anil Samuel produced a fantastic bowling displaying, snatching five wickets for 34 runs from four overs; while Gobin also claimed three for 20 off his four overs to complement a fine-all-round display.
Mercenary were unstoppable in this year’s competition, winning ten of their 11 matches. The other game was a no-result with the points shared. They were the champion, accumulating the most points (72), just ahead of Carr Tec, who finished with 70 points after losing only one of their 11 outings.
Mercenary stamped their authority in the grand finale, defeating Canadian Legends by a comprehensive 118-run margin.
At the presentation, President of the OSCL, Canada-based Guyanese Ravin Babulall, congratulated the winner and thanked all the teams for their participation in the 2021 edition. He also took the opportunity to announce that there would be a bigger tournament in 2022.

Vice-President Kim Sue echoed similar sentiments and thanked all who had come out and played a part in Saturday’s event.
Deputy Mayor in the area east of Toronto, Michael Thompson, graced the occasion with his presence and congratulated the victorious combination and the other team. He summed it up that cricket was indeed the real winner, and expressed his gratitude to the OSCL for the invitation. He said he was delighted to attend.
He also told the gathering that the vaccination process is genuine, as the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic continues.
The sponsors of the day’s activities were: JDG Tooling and Automation, Tropical Nights Restaurant and Lounge, Norman Sue Bakery, Platinum Lounge and Sports Bar, Great Canadian Oil Change, RDS Flooring and Renovation Inc, and as seen on TV.