Barakat Bothers Twenty20 final …
NATIONAL selectee fast bowler Trevor Benn will lead the challenge of defending champions Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) when they face Satro Sports Club in the final of the Barakat Brothers Twenty20 competition at the Uitvlugt ground today. The action, which gets under way at 09:30 h, will see the winners pocket $200 000 and a trophy while the runners-up will have to settle for $50 000 and a trophy while the man-of-the-match will earn $10 000 and trophy. The defending champions will certainly be looking to maintain their status in this competition.

The hard-working and energetic Benn, who is also the second highest wicket-taker for MMZ in 2009, will receive support from the hard-hitting all-rounder Mahendra Nandkishore along with former national Under-19 players Rakesh Goberdhan, and Deonauth Baksh and Demerara Under-19 batsman Balbinder Shivpersaud.

Satro will depend on former Essequibo Under-19 all-rounder Kevin Gordon, Muneshwar Jattan and their skipper Trevor Whyte with the bat for runs, while left-arm spinner Hemraj Persaud and Brian Roopchand will lead the bowling attack for the visitors.

The defending champions beat Independence while Satro beat MMZ B in the two semi-finals which were played on Boxing Day at the MMZ West ground.

MMZ ‘A’ recorded a 73-run victory over Independence, after recovering from 67-6 to reach 142-8 at the end of their 20 overs, with Seymore Evans 37 and Shardanandan 33.

Skipper Shawn McKay (22) and MMZ’s Cricketer-of-the-year Mahendra Nandkishore (17) supported with the bat against the bowling of Thakur Persaud and David Alert. Thakur Persaud (2-12) bowled well for Independence who, in reply, could score only 70.

Kishan Shivgobin top-scored with 28 and Anand Bharath 10 as no other batsman managed to reach double figures against the bowling of Goberdhan who continues to display his good form in this competition by taking 3-7, while Shivpersaud supported with 2-17.

In the second semi-final, Satro defeated MMZ ‘B’ team by two wickets to book a date in the final.

Batting first, MMZ ‘B’ were bowled out for 126 in 19.1 overs, with opener Ashim Bashir top-scoring with 35 while Jason Heyliger 18 and Arshad Alli 16 offered support.

Whyte led the bowling for Satro by taking 4-20 with his left-arm spin and was supported by Hemraj Persaud who took 3-16 for the visitors who in reply reached 128-8 in 19.1 overs.

Muneshwar Jattan batted intelligently to score 38 and he was supported by Hookchand Savitri who made 24 for the victors, while Jason Heyliger picked up 3-17, Leyland Sobers 2-16 and Aitree Singh 2-29 in a losing cause.

In an intense and what is expected to be an exciting supporting game which will be played after the final, New Line Cavaliers (NLC) will be going up against a Barakat Brothers Select All Star team from 13:30 h.

Over $200 000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs in this encounter, inclusive of trophies for the winners, runners-up and man-of-the-match.

Expected to lead the charge for NLC are former national players Mahendra Nagamootoo and Andre Percival, along with Gajanand Singh, Anthony Ifill, Orin Forde, Paul Wintz, Chien Gittens, Balram Samaroo and Andrew Lyght Jr.

The Barakat Brothers All Star team will include Benn, Goberdhan, Shivpersaud, Muneshwar Balgobin, Ryan Hercules, Shawn Jairaj, David Allert, Neil Bissessar, Ryan Hercules, Mahendra Nandkishore and Trevor Whyte.