U-19 Cricket – The 592 Dugout

GCA-Ramchand Auto Spares/Survival Group/Trophy Stall U-19 Tourney Launched

Two years after the local sports fraternity’s activities were forced to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) on Friday evening launched its first U-19 50-Over tournament since 2019. Local companies Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies and Trophy Stall have thrown their invaluable support behind the tournament which began on Saturday (March 12).

Speaking at the launch which was held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), GCA President Neil Barry expressed gratitude to the sponsors for coming onboard despite all that is going on in the world.
“It is heartening to see our local companies throwing their weight behind the GCA, especially in sponsoring this tournament at the Under-19 level which is an important stage of our young cricketers’ development. Without these types of tournaments, we cannot produce the talent to improve Guyana’s cricket and ultimately take West Indies back to where it ought to be” Barry posited.

Meanwhile Mr. Ramchand Ragbeer of Ramchand Auto Spares noted that his company is pleased to be onboard and is looking forward to some exciting cricket in the coming weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the Survival Group of Companies, Mr. Mark De Freitas stated that it was an honour for the Survival Group to be accepted as a sponsor of the GCA’s tournament.

De Freitas pointed out; “It is our company’s first time being involved in the sponsorship of cricket, but it most definitely won’t be the last time, to the participants we wish you all the best and may the best team win”. In addition to sponsorship of the tournament, the Survival Group of Companies through their Travel Agency has put up a Most Valuable Player (MVP) incentive in the form of a trip for two to the Kaieteur Falls.

The competition will see over 170 youths from in and around Georgetown (registered with Georgetown clubs under the GCA) showcase their skill sets over the coming weeks. Twelve teams will compete for top honours within two zones with the top two from each zone securing a berth in the semi-finals. The twelve teams are Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), GNIC, Muslim Youth Organization (MYO), Queens College (QC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Transport Cricket Club, 4R Lions, Bel Air Rubis, Agricola and Georgetown XI.

Zone A comprises GNIC, GCC, 4R Lions, GT XI, DCC and Malteenoes while Zone B will pit MYO, Transport, Bel Air Rubis, Agricola, QC and Everest against each other.
The competition got underway on Saturday (March 12) with two matches; 4R Lions took on GCC at the latter’s home ground while QC hosted Agricola. Matches will be played at venues across Georgetown.

U-19 cricketers Nandu & Thorne return home with invaluable experience

Guyanese Under-19 players, Matthew Nandu and Isai Thorne returned home on Sunday, September 19, 2021, after participating in the just-concluded West Indies tour of England. The two players proudly touched down on home soil after impressive performances in England.
Although West Indies won only two of six matches in the Youth ODI series, both players made noteworthy contributions to the West Indies challenging efforts. Matthew Nandu finished on a high by registering consecutive half centuries in two of the five matches he played. In his penultimate match, Nandu stroked 51, then in the final match followed up with a superb knock of 80 and bowling returns of 2 for 35, as West Indies won their second match of the series to restore some regional pride.
Young fast bowling sensation Isai Thorne was also impressive: At the tender age of 16, he demonstrated the ability, skill and mental tenacity to become an outstanding West Indies fast bowler. Evidently, Thorne received the full confidence of his captain and coach by twice being given the opportunity to bowl the total allotment of overs for a bowler. In two of the four matches he played, Thorne grabbed three wickets to finish the series with 8 wickets and leave a buzz of high expectations.
The members of the GCB expect that the unwavering commitment of Nandu and Thorne coupled with their ability and skill will make them forces to be reckoned with in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 and beyond. The GCB will continue to provide the necessary support to these two and other players to ensure their competitive readiness for the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022.

Nandu’s all-round brilliance hands Dem U-19s the win over Essequibo

The Guyana Cricket Board/Hand In Hand 2020 U1-9 Inter County Tournament got off to an exciting start today at the LBI ground, East Coast Demerara.

Demerara won the toss and decided to bat. However, the Essequibo bowlers presented a challenge to the Demerara batsmen, limiting them to an unexpected reasonable score of 162 for 8 off reduced allotment of overs to 38, to facilitate Essequibo’s travel.

Opening batsman Matthew Nandu stroke a consolidated 53, inclusive of 4 fours, in 147 minutes at the crease off of 97 balls. Number 3 batsman, Ushardeva Balgobin was the other major contributor with the bat, who in 89 minutes at the crease, slammed 45 off of 59 balls, in a knock which includes 4 fours and 2 sixes.

However, in the over prior to his dismissal, Balgobin was adjudged not out by the ruling umpire, on a controversial diving catch by Azim Mohamed about three feet inside the mid-wicket boundary. The only other batsman to reach double figures, was sensational youth national batsman Mavendra Dindyal who stroked an entertaining 27 off 37 balls in 52 minutes, including of 2 fours.

Fast bowler Jason Holder bowled impressively to finish with figures of 2 for 28 from 7 overs with one maiden, inclusive of national youth opener Sachin Singh for duck and Dwain Dick for 4. Wazim Mohamed was the other main wicket taker with 2 for 26 from 5 overs. Mohamed dismissed Andrew Samaroo and wicket keeper, Shamar Yearwood, for 6 and 5 respectively.

In reply, Essequibo struggled to make a resounding impact, scraping their way to 86 all out off 27.2 of their allotted 38 overs. Sheldon Charles batting at number 3, provided some initial resistance for the Essequibians with his 51 minutes knock of 25 off 33 balls. Nicko Vincent was the only other Essequibo batsman to reach double figures with, 12. Bowling for Demerara, Dwain Dick led the way with 3 for 15 from 7 overs, which included 2 maidens.

Chaitram Balgobin took 2 for 10 from 2 overs, while Man of the Match, Matthew Nandu returned figures of 2 for 21 from 5.2 overs, to add to his half-century. Richard Jhoda picked up a single wicket for 5 runs as Demerara won the match by 76 runs.

The second round will see Berbice competing with Essequibo on Friday (February 12) at the LBI ground from 08:45 hrs.