By Frederick Halley
SKIPPER Zamin Amin led from the front as Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) Over-50s registered an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Canada Over-50s to capture the trilateral series which also included the USA.

Final scores in the final, which climaxed at the Danville ground in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on Friday were: Canada Over-50s 146 all out in 44.3 overs; WI Over-50s 147 for two in 30 overs.

Using his vast experience to full effect, the left-arm orthodox spinner, who also represented Guyana at the Under-19 level, rose to the occasion after Canada looked set build a useful score when they were inserted on a good batting surface, as compared to the previous ones used in the five-day tournament.

In the end, the hosts were rolled over for 146 in 44.2 overs in the 45-over affair with the left-arm spinner Amin claiming an impressive five for 22 in 8.2 overs, thereby earning the man-of-the-match award in the process.

Opener Roshan Jayaskera (33) and middle-order batsman Vishan De Mel (49) added 47 for the fourth wicket to revive the innings after Canada were struggling at 29 for three in the 13th over, having lost the wickets of opener Naved Sehrai (eight), Syed Kazmi (two) and Graham Castanhero (0).

Jayaskera struck two fours while De Mel’s 63-ball knock included three boundaries. The only other significant score came from David Mohamed who hit 30 (one four) before he was trapped lbw by off-spinner Vejai Seonarine.

Fast medium bowler Mohan Harihar, who caused the early damage, took two for 30 in his nine-over spell while Seonarine, who wrecked havoc in the earlier matches, ended with one for 37.
The WI Over-50s were given a solid start of 54 by Daniel Sadeo (33 with three fours) and Krish Harricharran (29, one four).

After Sadeo departed at 86 in the 24th over, it was the Sudesh Dhaniram show as he raced to an unbeaten 46 which was decorated with seven exquisite fours, much to the delight of his teammates and the sprinkling of spectators. His partner Shivnauth Seeram remained not out on 29, the two adding an undefeated 61 for the third wicket when victory was achieved.

Among those in attendance at the impressive presentation ceremony were aspiring Liberal Member of Parliament, Sonia Sidhu, whose constituency is Brampton South. She congratulated the participating teams, sponsors, organisers and volunteers for the splendid job throughout the five days of the tournament.

Both Cricket Canada vice-president Mohammed Shaikh and Cricket Ontario president Sha Zafar were also loud in their praise for the organisers.

WI skipper Amin disclosed that it was a pleasure participating in the trilateral series, pointing to the fact that it was their first chance being together since last year’s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa which was aborted because of the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also showered praise on the organisers, who he said had done a wonderful job, especially taking the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration.

The West Indies were missing several of their regional members, who could not travel to Canada because of travel restrictions, and consisted mainly of those members who reside in the USA and Canada. The team was managed by long-standing cricket administrator Raj Singh.