Final four quarter-final matches at Everest
THE final four semi-finalists (male & female) will be decided today when the final matches in the quarter-final round of the 3rd GT&T/Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport/Guyana Softball League 10/10 cricket competition are contested at the Everest Cricket Club ground. The battles so far have been keen and competitive with over $30M in cash and other incentives at stake when the finals are contested next month at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Feature play is set to bring together Lower Corentyne’s Karibee Boyz and Georgetown’s Regal X1. Speed Boat Sports Club of West Bank Demerara will oppose Lower East Coast’s Rockaway Auto Sales while in the two female matches, Trophy Stall Angels (East Bank) will lock horns with Rising Stars of West Coast Demerara and Georgetown’s Mike’s Wellwoman come up against Essequibo’s Falcon Girls.
Regal XI boast a powerful squad that have shown that they are capable of limiting teams when bowling while exploding at the batting crease. Patrick Rooplall, the in-form player of the team, has been dominating all the bowling attacks he has faced so far and his continued form will certainly be depended upon. Their skipper Troy Kippins stated that they have depth in both the batting and bowling departments and they are aiming for a convincing win.
Karibee Boyz also a have a solid outfit and will be looking to contain their opposition in the batting department while also coming into own when they bat, either chasing or setting up a sizeable total.
Imran Khan and Sharmendra Hardyal are both capable of doing just that and will be looking to continue the work started in the Super-16 when they took care of Falcons Sports Club by 8 wickets.
The bowling will be led by Kalynadas Khaimlall. This match is anticipated to be a humdinger as both teams are capable of winning. A tactical battle is in the making with only the fittest surviving.
Karibee Boyz leader is Imran Khan: “We are backing ourselves as we have match-winners in our team and we understand what is required to win.”
Speed Boat Sports Club have dominated the West Bank Zone and taken care of all the opposition in their path in this their second year. They have believed in themselves and have created waves throughout this tournament. They tamed the Platinum Jaguars of Lethem, dispatching them for one of the lowest totals (18) before knocking off the total in 1.2 overs last weekend in their Super-16 encounter.
They will go into the quarters feeling that they are on their way to the final but will have to guard against over-confidence. They will be led by the flamboyant duo, Shazim Hussain and Greg Singh, both playing major roles in the team advancing this far.
Speed Boat Sports Club captain Safraz Esau commented: “We have trained hard and will be looking past this match to the final as we feel we have it to go all the way.”
Rockaway Auto Sales ‘A’ XI, one of the more balanced teams this year have depth and a number of match-winners in their line-up and will be aiming that contributions will come from all who will propel them to victory.
Jagdesh Deosarran and skipper Kumar Bishundial will aim to maintain form and leadership with bat and ball. Bishundial has really been on top of his game, having already taken a hat-trick when they beat D’Edward Sports Club at the Super-16 stage by 8 wickets.
Both teams will be coming out all guns blazing but sensible batting and economical bowling will be required to book a semifinal place.
Trophy Stall Angels representing the East Bank Zone have lots of talented players and display depth in both the bowling and batting departments which have seen them through to this stage.
June Ogle-Thomas has been a shrewd and respected leader of the team and a great motivator that gets her charges to go beyond their natural ability to win games.
Kavita Yadram is another player with lots of ability and a proven match-winner who has all the shots in the book. She also bowls quick leg-breaks which have a telling effect on opposing teams. They showed how ruthless they are when they tore into Capoey Rising Stars in the Super-16 round demolishing them for 125 runs after piling up 130-3.
Rising Stars XI are the underdogs in this match-up but they have proved that they also possess talent that can win them matches. They are hyped up for this encounter and will depend on all the players to contribute.
Much will depend on 15-year-old Rashana Harper who has proved to be a match-winner with her energetic and quality leadership despite her tender age. Harper, a quality and smooth No.3 batter has guided the team throughout their innings and is also a tidy bowler and fielder. Adela Graham is another talented batter who opens and can upset the opposition with bold and powerful strokes that can set the platform for a fantastic score. The bowling will be on the shoulders of Tasleema Bacchus, one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament.
Their captain Waheeda Rahaman in an invited comment stated, “We are out to prove ourselves and nothing will give us more joy than getting past Trophy Stall Angels.”
Mike’s Wellwoman XI have all the experience and ability that any team can hope for. This combination has brought them victory after victory and they will be seeking to continue that trend in this match as they search for a semi-final spot.
Boasting a number of national players, their batting is very strong featuring the likes of Onica Wallerson and Buxtonian Zola Telford. Skipper Abenia Parker is not underestimating any team and said that they are endowed with talented players to do the job of toppling opponents.
Falcon Girls, the pride of Leguan have a way of playing which makes the crowd stand to enjoy. They are very sure of everything they do and their strategy of attacking the opposition in the field has brought them to this stage. Their leading player is Estell Lewis, an accomplished batter.
Captain Alissa Azad: “We are playing good cricket and will up our game for this phase of the tournament.”