– in T20 match-up

ON a brief tour to the Essequibo Coast, McGill Superstars of Canal No. 1 upstaged Reliance Hustlers in a T20 fixture played last Saturday at the Reliance ground on the Essequibo Coast.

Watched by a vociferous crowd, Reliance Hustlers opted to bat first after winning the toss. They were off to a lightening start with Wayne Osborne and Nathan Persaud smashing boundaries at will on the small but picturesque ground.

Osborne, in particular, was quick to dispatch anything that was short and wide. A brutal square-cut that sped to the boundary had the crowd in a frenzy as Osborne displayed an array of stroke-play. In the first 6 overs, Reliance Hustlers rushed to 62-1 and were destined for a huge total.

 However, with the introduction of spin on a wearing pitch saw a decline in the scoring rate as well as the loss of regular wickets. Osborne sped to 24 with 2×6 and 2×4 before perishing via the LBW route. Soon after, Persaud followed after being out-foxed by a sharp turning delivery and was bowled for 18, laced with 3×4.

Wickets continued to tumble and it was left to Anthony Ifill’s entertaining innings of 21, containing 3×4 and 1×6, to bolster the total.

Meanwhile, though the match was billed for 20 overs, the disappearance of several balls which became time consuming in recovering them, caused the game to be reduced to 15 overs.

 In the end, Reliance Hustlers were all out for 124 in 14.4 overs. Former national under 19 captain, Travis Persaud, bowled mesmerizingly to claim 3-29 from 3 overs while there were 2 wickets each for Malcolm Hubbard and Kesham Seuden for 13 and 17 runs, respectively.

The visitors then had a hostile reception early on as 3 quick wickets fell within 3 overs to have them scarily placed at 14-3. A combination of pace and spin initially did the trick for the Hustlers.

Despite the precarious position, Ronaldo Renee counter-attacked and played some delightful shots to keep his side in the hunt. The Stars were up with the rate and when Renee fell for 35 (5×4 and 2×6) with the score on 72 in the 7^th over, he had laid the foundation for an exciting finish.

 The day, however, belonged to Malcolm Hubbard who capped off a brilliant all-round performance with a commanding half-century which pitched the stars to an absorbing victory. Hubbard’s clinical display of clean and straight hitting was quite pleasing to the eye.

His unbeaten 52 was decorated with 5×6 and 2×4 to rally the Stars to 126-4 in 12 overs for a 6 wicket triumph. Medium pacer Carlos Yapp had figures of 2-20 from 2 overs in the opening overs to provide some degree of hope.

 However, it was not enough and the Hustlers were outplayed by the power and brilliance of the Stars. Reliance Hustlers will now accept an invitation for a reciprocal visit shortly. Meanwhile, the visitors also participated in a Day of Sports involving a 10/10 softball competition played at the Number 1 ground in Affiance on Sunday to conclude their tour of Region 2. (Elroy Stephney)