WEST Indies Under-19 all-rounder Matthew Nandu continued to his rich vein of form with a brilliant all-round performance to spur Kaieteur International B into the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) First Division final.

Arriving in Canada mere hours before last Saturday’s semi-final encounter versus Palace Panthers, the left-handed Nandu smashed five fours and two sixes off 76 balls in an unbeaten knock of 54 as Kaieteur made light work of their opponents at the Ashtonbee Number Two ground, Scarborough, Canada in their 50-over affair.

Asked to take first strike on an overcast day, Palace Panthers were routed for a paltry 94 in 28.2 overs as only Chirag Rothad showed any resistance to Kaieteur’s spin-oriented attack. Former Canadian Under-19 left-arm spinner Raqib Shamsudeen, who opened the bowling, was the chief wrecker with four for 28 in 9.2 overs while Nandu supported with three for 24 with his off-spin. Arjuna Sukhu was also among the wickets with two for 24 from seven overs.

Palace Panthers made an early inroad, getting rid of opener Navindra Nauth (two) but a second-wicket partnership of 65 between Nandu and Ravindra Nauth (20) dented any hopes they had of securing victory and a place in Saturday’s final.

Kaieteur will oppose United Titans in the final following the latter’s victory over defending champions Toronto Rhinos in their replayed fixture at the Ashtonbee Number Three ground on Sunday. This followed the abandonment from Saturday after the playing area was ruled unsuitable following a heavy downpour. At that stage, Toronto Rhinos were 27 for three after seven overs, pursuing a victory target of 196.

Nandu recently returned to Guyana from England after leading West Indies to victory in the sixth and final ODI against England Under-19s, scoring a defiant 80 which also followed closely on the heels of another half-century in the previous game. He arrived in Canada on Friday.

Secretary of the SCA, Eon Gunraj, who is also an ardent fan of Nandu said he has been following Nandu’s exploits and wished him well in his future endeavours. He also handed over an undisclosed sum to the left-hander after witnessing his all-round effort on Saturday.

(Frederick Halley)