‘Steam train’ Nial Smith has disclosed that at no point in time was he intimidated playing against a star-studded Georgetown team in the third round of the SBF Petroleum Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Jaguars 50-Over franchise cricket tournament.
West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson will bat at number three for Lower Corentyne
Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport as he reflected on his memorable spell, Smith described his 6-41 against Georgetown as one of his best performances ever. The 23-year-old Tucber Park player highlighted that he was able to assess the pitch.
“The Georgetown batsmen were looking very uncomfortable with the short ball, so I was looking to mix it up, (bowl) some short and some full; and that went successful”, Smith declared.
Smith said he was upbeat heading into this challenge at GCC Bourda even with the venerable Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell and Steven Jacobs in the city side. Asked if he was intimidated, Smith had this to say: “Actually, I was excited to play against all these stars. You know, it’s teams like these you have to make your name against, so this was a stepping stone for me”.
Smith has bagged four wickets in the first round, and has taken six wickets in the third round. He explained that his intention is to continue the hard work he has been putting into his training.
Veerasammy Permaul and his Lower Corentyne team are seeking to extend their winning streak (Brandon Corlette photos)
“I would like to keep working, keep showing the selectors that I have the talent; and I want to keep working towards bigger things”, Smith disclosed.
His fiery player-of-the-match spell has seen several Georgetown batsmen sustaining injury.
Lower Corentyne set to host Hetmyer’s West Berbice team at Young Warriors ground
The Veerasammy Permaul-led Lower Corentyne team have registered three wins in a row in this tournament. Fresh from mauling the Georgetown team in the third round, they will return to the ancient county today, Saturday October 19, where they will meet the Shimron Hetmyer-led West Berbice team from 9:30h at the home of the Hetmyer clan in Cumberland, East Canje.
Georgetown are still searching for their first win in this tournament
West Berbice have won two of their three matches, and Kevin Sinclair — former Young Warriors cricketer — will be looking to extend his form with both bat and ball in this matchup. Having failed to chase 83, West Berbice will be eager to turn things around against an upbeat and unbeaten Lower Corentyne team.
With the outfield at the Young Warriors ground being small, although usually a good batting surface, batsmen from both sides will be looking to score bountiful runs there.
In the other match to be played in Berbice today, the Johnson-led Georgetown team will be in search of their first win when they come up against the Upper Corentyne team, in which are included Guyana Amazon Warriors duo Anthony Bramble and Clinton Pestano. These two teams will lock horns at the Port Mourant ground today.
Fresh from recording a sweet victory, the Vishaul Singh-led East Bank team will meet the East Coast team today at Enmore ground.
Thus far unbeaten in this tournament, defending champs Essequibo will be looking to extend their dominance when they face West Demerara at GCC, Bourda today. Essequibo team captain Anthony Adams has been an astute leader of his troops under the watchful eyes of Coach Ryan Hercules.
West Demerara upset Georgetown earlier in the tournament, and will rely on the services of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach and Richie Looknauth to continue their dominance.
All four matches will bowl off from 9:30h today.
