GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter County tournament…
– rivalry continues today in Demerara/Berbice final
By Brandon Corlette
In the first round of play in the GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County Cricket tournament, Demerara defeated Berbice by 57 runs at the Georgetown Cricket Club. These two teams will renew their rivalry for the final time this tournament when they face-off in the final at the same venue, starting from 9:30h today.
Run machine and lone centurion of the tournament, Rampertab Ramnauth
Speaking exclusively with this publication, Berbice Under-15 captain Isai Thorne was all confidence ahead of the final. Undoubtedly the fastest bowler in this tournament, Thorne explained that the Berbice team members are feeling great and are confident in their ability.
“Each individual in the team will have to execute the game plan that we set”, Thorne disclosed. The Guyana Under-15 player added that the top order batsmen will have to produce a good start, so the middle order can use the start to build good totals or chase.
Speaking on behalf of the bowlers, the Berbice captain, who grabbed a Player of the Match award in round 3, declared that the bowlers have been bowling exceptionally well in the tournament. He pointed out that Matthew Pottaya has been the star with the ball, while Salim Khan and Bhaskar Dhani have played their roles with the ball. Thorne is expecting more from fellow fast bowler Christopher Deoroop and from himself with the ball.
In this tournament, outstanding performers from Berbice have been Rampertab Ramnauth and Matthew Pottaya, respectively leading run scorer and leading wicket taker. In order for the Berbicians to overcome the balanced Demerara team in today’s final, the big players will have to step-up, Thorne said.
The tournament’s favourite team, Demerara, are well-balanced (Brandon Corlette photos)
Ramnauth has played three matches, scoring 194 runs with scores of 37, 147* and 10. Talented off-spinner Pottaya has 11 wickets. He had match hauls of 4-27, 3-12 and 4-20 in the first three rounds. Tameshwar Mohabir, Avishaker Persaud, Kelvin Samuels, Christopher Deoroop and Ravishkar Sobhai will have to make their bats talk.
Sharing his opinion of the opposition Demerara team, Thorne said, “They have some quality players in Mavindra Dindyal, Zachary Joda and Jadon Campbell, but we are coming strong for them.”
The well-balanced Demerara team, favourites to win, will rely on opening batsman Campbell to produce a good start. This gifted batsman has shown consistency in scoring 156 runs thus far in the season. He had scores of 35, 81 and 40* in his fruitful season as the top-order batsman. ‘
Windies U-16 player Dindyal may be saving his big score for today’s big occasion. He has scores of 22, 41 and 22* in the three rounds he has played. Zacahary Joda, Krsna Singh and Omari Lalbachan are the few star players with Player of the Match performances this season.
Demerara Captain Alvin Mohabir has led his troops well, playing three matches and registering three victories. With all to play for in the final starting from 9:30h at Bourda, the best team will be crowned champions of the Dave West Indian Under-15 Inter-County tournament.
