Guyana and West Indies player Gudakesh Motie showed his class with the bat as Albion defeated Skeldon by 247 runs in the Tenelec Inc First Division tournament.
In the match played at the historic Albion, the home team opted to bat first and posted 322-9 in 50 overs with Motie slamming an unbeaten 80 while Anthony Bramble and Jonathan Foo made contrasting fifties. With the ball, former national Under-19 player Kelvin Umroa had 5-16 (including a hat-trick) to bowl Skeldon out for 75 in 19 overs.
Kelvin Umroa claimed five wickets
Under brilliant sunshine, on a smooth outfield, the star-studded Albion side, led by Test spinner Veerasammy Permaul, won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Kandasammy Surujnarine (05) and Adrian Sukwah (02) went cheaply, both removed by Aaron Ault. Sharaz Ramcharran was joined by Foo and the duo added 25 runs, with Ramcharran playing some delightful strokes in his 22, which had three fours.
Foo played a watchful innings, but he saw his second partner Rajiv Ivan perish when he caressed a full toss to long-on after scoring 17. Guyana Harpy Eagles wicketkeeper-batsman Bramble then came in and entertained the small gathering at Albion. Bramble reached his fifty before Foo. His powerful knock of 64 was decorated with five fours and two huge sixes. After Bramble and Foo added 114 runs together, Foo then continued his watchful innings. He scored 58, which included three fours, and like Bramble, looked set for a century but threw it away.
Gudakesh Motie cuts for four during his unbeaten 80 (Brandon Corlette photos)
Batting at number seven, Motie displayed brisk running between the wickets and he showed his power and skill with the bat. His undefeated 80 was laced with four towering sixes and five spanking fours. He dominated the 40-run eight-wicket stand with Permaul, who made 29, before he chopped on. Motie’s innings propelled Albion to 322-9 when 50 overs expired. The home team added 100 runs in the last 10 overs.
Jonathan Foo plays off the back foot during his patient fifty
Bowling for Skeldon, steady seamer Wayne Garnett had 2-22 in 10 overs while Ault had 2-33 in five overs and Asseer Hussain had 2-79 in 10 overs. In response, Skeldon had no answer for the left-arm spin of Umroa. Opener Tristan Ramdass top-scored with 20 while Junior King (13) and Ault (11*) reached double figures.
Anthony Bramble reverse sweeps for four during his entertaining half-century
After the 28-run opening stand, wickets tumbled like dominoes. Three wickets fell with the score on 35 and four wickets fell with the score on 39. Umroa, who extracted turn and bounce at a consistent line and length, bowled two maidens in six overs and claimed 5-16. He was supported by pacer Demetri Cameron, who bagged 2-23 in six overs, and Bramble, who is known for wearing the gloves, had a bowl and ended with 1-18 in three overs. Former Test player Devendra Bishoo finished the innings off with a wicket-maiden, his only over of the match, while Permaul and Motie did not bowl a single over.
