Bobby’ Parasnauth returns to familiar hunting ground : …aiming to torment batsmen in Guyana Softball Cup

Written By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada – Ten years after migrating to Canada, Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth has returned to the land of his birth with the sole aim of once again tormenting batsmen in the Guyana Softball Cup III.
Parasnauth’s love for the game, as an all-rounder, moreso as a top-flight bowler, never waned since taking up residence in Toronto as he continued to bamboozle batsmen with his off-breaks bowled at breath-taking pace. He has also been recording useful scores on the Canadian circuit.Making his debut for the Dharam Persaud-led Ariel, one of the leading teams in the then Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GSCA) tournaments, in 1988-89, Parasnauth made an immediate impact and was one of the most feared bowlers on the local scene.
The East Coast-born Parasnauth is credited with being the only all-rounder in Guyana to have scored a hundred and captured five or more wickets in the same game: 107 not out and six for 15 against Canal IX. He is also one of the few all-rounders to have made a century in a competition organized by the GSCA.
Parasnauth also has the unique and remarkable distinction of grabbing hat-tricks twice in Inter-county tournaments while representing Demerara, including an incredible seven for seven against Essequibo, which remains his best bowling figures to date.
Another astonishing feat was an helmet trick – all four players bowled – against Banks DIH at Thirst Park, where he finished with the remarkable figures of six for 11.
Currently the skipper of Sunshine Cricket Club in tournaments organized by the Canadian Softball Cricket Association, Parasnauth has continued where he left off in Guyana, featuring among the top three bowlers every year since here and was the top bowler for three consecutive years. His 35 wickets in one season still remain his best and was one shy away from being the leading bowler in the just-concluded season where he grabbed 22 wickets at the miserly cost of 3.96 runs per wicket.
According to Parasnauth, he is due to don colours for New York when the Guyana Cup III bowls off on Friday, having committed to that team since February this year without the knowledge that Canada would have been participating.
He pointed out that he was also approached to represent another team in Guyana but has vowed to honour his earlier obligation.
The Guyana Softball Cup gets underway on Friday and concludes on Sunday. Some 24 teams are expected to be in action, comprising six from New York, two from Florida, two from Canada and 14 from Guyana and will be divided into two categories — the Open male and the Masters Over-45.
Twelve teams will battle for supremacy in each category. The victorious team in the Open male will cart off a trophy and a hefty $800 000 while the runners-up will pocket $20 ,000 and a trophy.
The man-of-the-match in the final will receive a trophy and the tournament Most Valuable Player one gold bracelet. The winning team in the Masters division will collect a trophy and $60 ,000 and the runner up a trophy and $15 ,000.
The man-of-the-match in the final and the most valuable player will collect a trophy and one gold bracelet respectively.
In total, 42 matches will be contested with the preliminary round games being hosted at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Police Sports Club, Eve Leary, Ministry of Sports (Carifesta Sports Complex), Demerara Cricket Club, YMCA and the Ministry of Education grounds.
The finals are billed for THE GCC ground, Bourda on Sunday and will be preceded by three female exhibition matches.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.