FIRST-division cricketers in the Ancient County will pad up for a historic 100-ball knockout cricket tournament from Sunday, weather permitting.
The tournament, which was launched this week by the vibrant and progressive Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the stewardship of Hilbert Foster, with the support of the family of the late Ivan Madray, will see nine teams battle for supremacy.

Madray, who died in 2009, at the age of 74, played for the West Indies in 1958.The leg-spinner, was the third Berbician to play for the West Indies team in the long format of the game. He followed in the footsteps of John Trim and Rohan Kanhai, who also hailed from Port Mourant Cricket Club.
The Ivan Madray 100-Ball Memorial First Division Tournament is being supported by the late cricketer’s family and the Chintamani family at the cost of $330 000.

EXTRA SPECIAL
Foster said that the tournament is extra special, as it would be honouring one of Berbice cricketing legend and one of the county’s best role models.
After retiring from cricket, Madray migrated to England where he became a successful businessman and was heavily involved in charitable work.

POSITIVE ROLE MODEL
Mr Chandradat Chintamani, a nephew of Madray, stated that his uncle was a positive role model and hero to his entire family. Chintamani, who hails from the No.55 Village in the Upper Corentyne, is the senior vice-president of Laparkan.

He expressed delight at being able to pay respect to his uncle and to be associated with Berbice cricket, which over the last few months has been setting high standards.
Chintamani added that he was confident that the tournament would be a great success and that it was his intention to make it an annual event if everything goes to plan.

Foster and Chintamani had an extensive discussion on plans for the development of Berbice cricket. The BCB president expressed confidence that the talks would bear fruit early in 2019, to benefit over 80 clubs and numerous youth cricketers in the Ancient County.
Special thanks were expressed to the Madray and Chintamani families for the sponsorship.

TOURNAMENT RULES
The tournament would involve both teams batting 100 balls – 14 six-ball overs and two eight-ball overs. The power-play will be six overs, where a maximum of two fielders would be allowed out of the 30-yard circle.

West Berbice, Blairmont Community Centre, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion Community Centre, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Port Mourant Cricket Club will do battle.

Skeldon Cricket Club has been suspended from Berbice Cricket for the rest of the year, while teams in the Upper Corentyne are focusing on completing the New Building Society 40-Overs Tournament.