MARTIN Pestano-Belle scored over 500 runs for New York team, the Big Apple Cricket Club, during a five-month stint from May to October in the US.

The GCC cricketer, who also plays cricket for Providence cricket team in the East Bank of Demerara Cricket Association, led the US-based club team to a 40-over competition win in the Eastern American Cricket Association after smashing 246 runs in 11 games.

The 23-year-old, who played as a lower order batsman, scored two half-centuries including a top score of 94 and an innings of 68. The former national U-19 cricketer also grabbed seven wickets with his off-spin bowling.

Pestano-Belle was then ultra-aggressive in the Eastern American Cricket Association Division One T20 competition. He scored two centuries and helped Big Apple to the final. Unfortunately, they were beaten in the championship game.

In that competition, he scored 228 runs, including back-to-back centuries. He scored 113 unbeaten runs and 106 runs.  Pestano-Belle, who picked up six wickets during the 20-over competition, said that playing cricket in the US was a unique experience.

He said it was a bit challenging at first, especially playing on matting, but he adapted.

Overall, he felt that he learnt a lot from the experience.