Fudadin hits unbeaten half-century as GCC record first win
THANKS to an unbeaten half-century from national middle-order batsman Assad Fudadin, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) became the first team to record a victory in this year’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-organised Queensway Cup Open limited overs competition, when they sent Everest Cricket Club packing with a seven-wicket defeat yesterday. Winning the toss and opting to take first strike in the fixture which was played at Camp Road, GCC had their hosts reeling on 36 for 6 in the 10th over, including the prized wicket of Rajendra Chandrika, (8), Chris Patadin (6) and Krishna Deosarran (1), before they reached 137 all out off 42.3 overs.
Fudadin then struck three fours in his unbeaten 54 that took him 84 balls to accumulate, as GCC, who were led by Leon Johnson, reached 138 for 3 off 38 overs to complete an easy victory.
Earlier in the day, fast bowlers Joshua Wade and Kevin Ogle, who ended with three wickets each for 20 and 30 runs respectively, rocked Everest’s batting before Mohan Ramdeen, who struck five fours in his 40 and Surujnarine Deosarran (32) added 63 for the seventh wicket.
But when they looked as though they would have consolidated their partnership, Ramdeen played across a delivery from Gavin Singh (2 for 23) and was bowled and even though Joseph Perry contributed 21 in the lower order for the Camp Road-based club, they failed to post a solid total.
When GCC batted, they lost Robin Bacchus (9) and Leon Johnson (10) to be shakily placed on 30 for 2 before Ricardo Jadunauth (38) and Fudadin carried them to 74. Then the former was caught by Troy Gonsalves off fast bowler Azad Mohammed who ended with 2 for 30.
Fudadin found a perfect ally in Jeetendra Sookdeo who was unbeaten on 21 when victory was achieved. They carried their team home comfortably, as they added 64 runs in their unbroken fourth-wicket partnership, with Fudadin posting his half-century when he pulled a short delivery from Ramdeen through the vacant midwicket position for his third and final boundary.
The action will continue with two more matches tomorrow featuring Third Class and Malteenoes Sports Club at the Demerara Cricket Club ground and Transport Sports Club opposing the University of Guyana at Turkeyen. The first ball set to be bowled at 09:30hrs in both encounters.