Last weekend marked a significant period for Suriname cricket — a visiting team from the Dutch-speaking nation toured Guyana for a series of matches.
The inclement weather meant that only two of the five scheduled matches were possible, with the Dutch side winning one and losing the other.
The Suriname Touring Friends side after their match against Star Sports on Saturday at the Busta Enterprise Sports Club ground
On Saturday morning, Akesh Jaipaul with the ball and Andy Rodrigues with the bat, lead the visitors to a commanding nine-wicket victory over local side, Star Sports Masters, in a T20 match at the Busta Enterprise Sports Club.
The locals had first strike and only mustered 101 from their allotted overs, with Jaipaul reaping the rewards with 3-11 from his 4 overs, while Vishnauth Gobin made 26.
With an eye on the weather, opener Rodrigues then wasted little time in his commanding innings of 76 not out, as Suriname Touring Friends finished on 104-1 from 11 overs, to win by 9 wickets and 9 overs to spare. Rodrigues was later named Man of the Match.
Also, the visiting side recognized the recent record-breaking performance from Bhaskar Yadram, who hit a mammoth 301 not out in the opening round of the Hand-in-Hand three-day Under-19 inter-county tournament earlier in April. In accepting the award, Yadram thanked the Surinamese for their gesture, and pledged to work hard and do more in the future.
In invited comments at the post-match ceremony, Star Sports Masters congratulated the visitors on their performance, and wished them well for the future. They also thanked Sheik Mohammed of Enmore for the kind sponsorship extended to their team.
The rain then came and spoiled the rest of the weekend, forcing the visitors to remain indoors until Monday, when they lost to Lusignan Sport Club by 47 runs in a 30-overs a-side encounter at the same venue.
Lusignan Sport Club batted first and got to 136 before being rolled over in 27 overs, with T. Motielall stroking 35 while eventual Man-of-the-Match Akesh Jaipaul, who was virtually unplayable, grabbed 5-21 from his six overs.
The visitors were hoping to end the tour on a high, but ran into quality bowling from off-spinner Ferron Kadir and were bowled out for 89 in 24 overs. Only Pradish Balkissoon resisted with 30.
After the match, which also marked the end of the tour, Suriname Touring Friends thanked Busta Enterprise Sports Club for hosting them and promised to reciprocate in the near future.
The Suriname side was scheduled to play a Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) select side under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club ground on Friday night, and the Busta Enterprise Sports Club Legends and a Media side on Sunday, but those matches were washed out.
