-Guyanese scores century; takes three wickets

A MAN-of-the-match performance from hard-hitting all-rounder, Derick Narine, propelled Phoenix XI to victory in the New York National Cricket League Saturday T20 final over the weekend at Baisley Pond in Queens, New York.

The Berbician, who played inter-county cricket in Guyana and represented the US Cricket Academy at the U-19 level against India in 2015, scored an aggressive century before he delivered with the ball.

Phoenix XI (mainly US based Guyanese) batted first against Unruly CC and were able to race to 217-8 from their allotted overs with Narine leading the charge.

The opening batsman struck 10 whopping sixes and six fours in his 49-ball 110.  He and captain, Dion Chooweenam, (former first-division cricketer), put together 79 for the first wicket before the latter fell for 39 (4X4s, 3X6s off 19 balls).

Although the Unruly CC bowlers were able to claw their way back after former Guyana youth player, Dominique Rikhi, and Michael Sultan combined for five wickets, the opening partnership had tarnished the figures of the opposing bowlers.

Former Jamaican fast bowler, Neive McNally’s three overs went for 31 (one wicket), Samuel Raghubir’s two overs went for 32, Terrence Madramootoo’s four overs went for 38 (one wicket), Fuse Azeez’s two overs went for 38 and Sachin Persaud’s one over for 17.

Even the dominant bowlers were relatively expensive. Sultan finished with 3-35 from four overs, while Rikhi ended his four overs with 2-25.

Unruly CC struggled early in the chase. Except for a fighting half century from former Berbice all-rounder, Madramootoo, the side buckled under pressure.  They lost their last five wickets for 70-runs, which resulted in them being bowled out for 147 in 18.4 overs.

Skipper Madramootoo, who was eventually bowled by Narine, led the attack with 74; his innings included nine sixes and one four off 44 balls.

Narine finished with 3-18 from 3.4 overs while Chooweenam took 3-15 from his four overs, Triston Carmichael 2-25 and Mark Tyrell 2-29.