FORMER National cricketer, Gajanand Singh, struck an unbeaten half-century to lead the Meten-Meer-Zorg NY Cricket Club to an eight-wicket win against Everest/ACS, when action in the Caribbean Fest 40-over tournament continued on Sunday in the US.

Everest won the toss and opted to bat first at Lido Beach, but only a few of their batsmen clicked. Opener Freddy Pestano struck 50 from 51 balls, while Deveshwari Prashad hit 46 from 34 balls and skipper Amarnauth Persaud 31 from 44 balls.

Five batsmen, including most of the middle order, failed to score, which resulted in the team succumbing to 187 in 34.2 overs.
The left-handed Singh was able to pick up a wicket in his second over, while MMZ’s skipper, Andy Mohamed, finished with 4-47 from his eight overs.

In reply, the 33-year-old Singh opened the batting for his club and made light work of the target. He struck 87 runs from 92 balls to lead his side to victory. During his innings, he scored 10 boundaries.

Navin Stewart, who batted well with Singh, added an unbeaten 41 (3X4s, 3X6s) to help MMZ overhaul the needed runs in 30.5 overs.
Off-spinner Kheshram Seyhodan claimed the two wickets for Everest/ACS.

Richmond Hill Liberty’s four-wicket win
In another fixture of the same competition, with a number of Guyanese-born cricketers, Richmond Hill Liberty registered a four-wicket win against Phoenix Cricket Club at the Baisley Ground.
Phoenix CC won the toss and opted to bat first. A few of their middle-order batsmen had starts, but none got the big scores.

Daniel Mangru scored 36 from 23 balls, while Tejpaul Bishundat added a watchful 31 (74 balls). Sharma Sukhdeo almost went a run-a-ball when he scored 24 from 25 balls.
By the end of the 40 overs, Phoenix CC had scored 193-8.

Former Berbice all-rounder, Terrence Madramootoo led Richmond Hill’s bowling attack with 3-46 from his eight overs, while Leon Mohabir and Raymond Ramrattan supported with two wickets each.

Dino Choo-wee-nam, who has been explosive so far in the league, had an off-day with the bat during Richmond Hill’s turn in the middle. The former DCC cricketer just scored 12 runs; even skipper Trevor Henry, a former national U-19 cricketer, found batting difficult, as he settled for seven runs.

It was, however, an unbeaten half-century from lower-order batsman Altaaf Habibulla (57 from 38 balls 5X4s, with 3X6s) and support from Ramrattan (41 from 29 balls with 5X4s, 1X6), Naresh Rambharos (35 runs from 18 balls with 5X4s, 1X6) and Madramootoo (24 runs from 12 balls (1X4, 3X6s) that propelled the side to 196-6 from 22.2 overs.
Rameez Mohamed finished with 3-47 for Phoenix CC.