JUST days before he plans to return to Guyana to rejoin the “Rising Stars,” Matthew Nandu used the opportunity to once again display his undoubted talent with another brilliant all-round performance, on Saturday last, as the Scarborough Cricket Association 2021 season entered its second weekend in Toronto, Canada.
Following up on his fine batting and bowling in the opening round, Nandu showed discipline and maturity as he piloted Kaieteur International B to an eight-wicket victory over Hawks/Toronto Braves in their First Division fixture, played at the Ashtonbee Number two ground, their second in consecutive weeks.
Set 181 for victory, after Hawks/Toronto Braves were limited to 180 all out in 41.4 overs, Kaieteur International ‘B’ achieved the target in 43. 5 overs in the 50-over affair, with Nandu carrying his bat throughout the innings with an unbeaten 85 on a sluggish outfield after midweek rains had drenched the venue.

The left-handed opener’s innings, which spanned 115 balls, included five fours and three sixes. Ravindra Nauth supported with 34 (one four and two sixes). Vikram Gowla took three for 41 from 10 overs for Hawks/Toronto Braves.
Earlier, leg-spinner Jonatan Singh, son of former Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) Finance Controller, Mohan Singh, scythed through the Hawks/Toronto Braves middle and lower-order, bagging five for 41 in 4.4 overs, while Nandu also made an impact with his off-spinners, claiming an impressive three for 25 from his allotted 10 overs. Matthew Kurikesh hit 52 (four fours and three sixes) and Gowla 46 with five fours.
Nandu is part of the ‘Rising Stars’ who are currently undergoing COVID-sensitive virtually coordinated training across the region, as part of the preparation system that has been put in place by West Indies Under-19 head coach, Floyd Reifer.

He is vying for a place in the West Indies Under-19 squad for next year’s World Cup, to be staged in the Caribbean; he reportedly took a break to look after his academics. He’s scheduled to return to Guyana this weekend.
Meanwhile, two other youth players with Guyanese roots were also in the news in the Toronto & District Association 50-over tournament which continued at King City on Sunday.
Former Canadian Under-19 player, Ashtan Deosammy, spanked an attractive 93 while Arjuna Sukha supported with 43 as JB Tranzac made light work of Prime Cricket Club in their one-sided contest. The two shared an enterprising fourth-wicket partnership of 134 as their team reached 230 for eight in their allotted 50 overs.

Deosammy’s knock was laced with four fours and seven sixes while Sukhu was more subdued, hitting three fours in his 43. Nandu supported with 21 (two fours).
Prime Cricket Club were skittled out for a paltry 50 in 28.2 overs, going down by a massive 180 runs. Kairav Sharma was the main destroyer with four for 13 in 5.2 overs, while Deosammy crowned a fine all-round performance with two for six in four overs. (Frederick Halley)