Sanasie hints at GCB annual hosting of Republic T20 Bash
At the post-match presentation ceremony of the Golden Republic T20 Bash, held at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday last, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Secretary Anand Sanasie indicated that this cricketing activity may become an annual affair.
Anand Sanasie
“I was in conversation with the Minister (George Norton), and this (activity), as a starter, will be a good opportunity to have this (T20 Bash held) as a calendar event when the Republic anniversary comes around,” Sanasie posited.
The GCB Secretary also thanked the supporters for their involvement in making this event a success. He declared that although the GCB had not had sufficient time to prepare for this event, its staging was a good start.
Further, he thanked the Trinidad National players Rayad Emrit and current West Indies T20 opener Lendl Simmons for having quickly indicated their willingness to participate in the match.
Soft-ball player-of-the-match, Keith Fraser, receives his award from GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie
Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, who has portfolio responsibility for culture, youth and sports, also expressed positive sentiments about the event. He declared that cricket is certainly a means of achieving social cohesion, and that despite the stands not having been filled to capacity, he still is pleased with the support received for its staging and the willingness of players to participate therein.
“We are happy to see Hetmyer (Shimron Hetmyer) who, as anyone else, was fit on the field, and we look forward once again for him to join the West Indies team”, Dr Norton explained.
In the softball match that preceded the main event, Regal All Stars beat Ariel Speedboat by 14 runs, after the efforts of veteran Berbician Keith Fraser and those of Seewchand Budhu who hit 55 took the Regal score to 186-3 in 20 overs, although Richard Latiff had taken 2-25.
Batting in response, Speedboat made 172-9 in their 20 overs. Wazir Hussain top-scored with 39 and Greg Singh made 36. Fazad Rayak and Roy Persaud had each taken two wickets.
The star-studded Regal All-Stars team collected $200,000 for this win, while the Rutherford Renegades collected a cash prize of $1 million and a trophy after defeating the Hetmyer Hurricanes by eight wickets.
