TORONTO – Several prominent past and current Guyanese cricketers have been playing major roles in the various divisional matches here as the 2014 season swings into full gear.
Highlighting the several outstanding performances were centuries by former West Indies one-day player Royston Crandon who slammed a brilliant 108 for Vikings in the Toronto and District (T&D) Elite League, and former national wicket-keeper Azib Ali Hanif who hit an unbeaten ton for Gujarat Cricket Club in the Brampton Etobicoke District Elite League.Among the bowlers, off-spinner Mark Montfort, who formerly represented the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), had the impressive figures of seven for 30, playing for Brampton Masters against Vikings in the T&D Premiere Division, albeit in a losing cause.
Crandon, who represented the West indies in a lone One-day encounter against India at Johannesburg in September 2009, was in sublime form in his first Elite match of the season, his 108 coming off just 83 balls and including five massive sixes and nine fours at King City.
Crandon’s knock, along with 44 form discarded national openers Ryan Ramdass and Rajendra Chandrika (34) led Vikings to 283 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
Another national discard, Trevon Garraway took four for 55 for Victoria Park who were bowled out for 184 in 41.3 overs. Crandon returned to capture two for 20 in 5.3 overs while Rakesh Goberdan claimed two for 53. The Victoria Park side also included Guyana’s Under-19 skipper Eugene LaFleur, Anthony D’Anrade and Harrinarine Chattergoon.
Crandon also struck 51 as Vikings reached 244 for seven in 50 overs against Gujarat Cricket Club who replied with 201 all out in 43.4 overs as the latter lost by 44 runs.
The diminutive Hanif, who also played for Albion and Berbice in the Inter-county tournaments, stroked an even hundred as Gujarat Cricket Club reached an imposing 302 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. His knock included 12 fours. S Patel supported with 64, hitting 12 fours and a six.
Opponents, Cricketers United, were dismissed for 211 in 44.4 overs with Hanif, who has now shed his wicket-keeping gloves, returning to claim three for 25 in six overs.
Another Guyanese also among the runs was former national captain Damodar Daesrath who had innings of 67 and 64 for Brampton Masters against Vikings and Victoria Park respectively in the T&D Elite League.
Taking first strike against Vikings, Brampton Masters reached 299 for seven in 50 overs with Daesrath (67) and Canadian national player Rizwan Cheema (60) being the principal scorers. Vikings were 119 for eight in 28.2 overs when the game ended.
Daesrath, who also represents Canada, was again among the runs, scoring 64 (six fours) as Brampton Masters were dismissed for 242 in 48.2 overs. Cheema supported with 45 while Garraway took three for 35 in his 10 overs.
Garraway also returned to blast 61, batting at number nine in a losing cause as Victoria Park were bowled out for 170. His innings included eight fours and two sixes.
Montfort’s seven wickets were taken against Vikings in the Premiere Division as the latter were bowled out for 234.
Brampton Masters were 225 for six when their 50 overs expired, going down by nine runs with Montfort returning to hit 36.