Another upset occurred in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Carib Beer T20 Competition when minnows Transport Sports Club (TSC) defeated Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) by six wickets yesterday at Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Ground.
troy gonsalves
In the high scoring clash, TSC scored 174-4 in 19.3 overs, replying to 172-7 from 20 overs made by GNIC. Suresh Budho and Ryan Hemraj, who scored 59 not out and 42 along with off spinner Rafael Singh, who bagged three wickets to continue a good run of form in recent times, were instrumental in TSC’s victory.
Budho, who batted at number five blasted five sixes and four fours in a commanding knock while Hemraj who opened the batting played a more responsible role adding partnerships with the rest of the top five batsmen, before he was the last person to get out in TSC’s innings looking for quick runs.
Gajanan Suknanan enjoyed yet another day out in the middle, picking up 2-21 from his quotas of four overs while Dwayne Dick and Ryan Shun snared a wicket apiece.
In GNIC’s innings, Shun struck his third successive half century of the tournament to increase his lead as the leading run scorer. It is also his third time he has ended on the losing side. However, his innings set his team up for a big score and included four sixes and six fours. He knock was supported by Ovid Richardson and Dwayne Dick, who scored 34 and 19 respectively.
Suresh Budhu
Singh, who captured 13 wickets in the Noble House Seafoods final last week against GNIC second division team, was once again the major tormentor for the Woolford Avenue batsmen as he snared 3-19 from four overs.
It was a big win for TSC, who now stands an opportunity of qualifying for the semis if they win their remaining matches against University of Guyana and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).
DCC leads group A with three wins from three matches followed by Police on two wins from four matches, then TSC, UG and GNIC in that order.
Meanwhile, in the other match today, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) made life easy for Everest Cricket Club, who won by a mammoth margin to reach the semifinal.
They are now assured a place in the next stage of the tournament after winning by eight wickets yesterday at their home venue at Carifesta Avenue.
Batting first GDF folded for 69 in 16.5 overs, compliments of quality bowling by Shaheed Mohamed and Kevin Paul, who collected three wickets apiece. Ashkaya Persaud assisted with two scalps.
In reply Everest lost two early wickets, that of, Persaud for naught and Chandrapaul Hemraj for seven, both dismissed by off spinner Leon Andrews. However, it was the only bright period for the military unit in the entire day, before Troy Gonsalves and Khemraj Ramdeen joined forces to steer their team to victory.
Gonsalves made 40 not out from 25 deliveries while Ramdeen was unbeaten on 22 when Everest reached the target.
Everest now leads group B with 63 points with three wins from four matches, followed by MSC with 60 from three wins out of four matches then GCC on 47 with one match to go, then GDF and GYO. GCC will know their fate when they play GYO in their final group match next weekend.
