… MP assists BCB to obtain three more sponsorships for West Berbice

D’EDWARD Cricket Club last Sunday defeated archrivals Cotton Tree CC by 12 runs to lift the Berbice Cricket Board/WBCA/Jaferally 20/20 trophy.

Playing under very strict COVID-19 guidelines at the Cotton Tree ground, the powerful visiting team maintained their winning streak against their neighbours.
The tournament was sponsored by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jaferally, who described it as a remarkable success.

The popular politician renewed his sponsorship for this year and also announced to loud applause a 50% increase.
Batting first after being sent in, D’Edward rattled up an imposing 193-8 from their allotted 20 overs. The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to overnight rain.

The sponsor and West Berbice Cricket Board president, David Black, met the two teams before the start of play.
Altaf Khan top-scored with an even 50 and received support from Devindra Lalsa, 26, and Kevin Jawahir, 25. Bowling for the home team, Abdul Subhan and Narsad Gaffoor took two wickets each for 33 from four overs, while Roshan Gaffoor, Waqar Hassan and Pooran Persaud each took a wicket.

Needing to score 194 from 20 overs to lift the trophy, the home team disappointed their fans by falling 12 runs short despite a top score of 82 not out from former Berbice youth player, Nick Ramsaroop, who blasted three sixes and six boundaries.

Abdul Subhan, 31, and Roshan Gafoor, 28, were the other main scorers as Cotton Tree ended on 181 for 4.
Akash Herilall took 2 wickets for 11 runs from four miserly overs to claim the Man-of-the-Final prize while Kevin Jawahir and Ricky Moore took a wicket apiece for 26 and 28 respectively.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the sub-association can expect at least five more tournaments in 2022 and hailed the support of MP Jafferally, whom he described as a true friend of Berbice Cricket.

He congratulated the winners while urging the runners-up to work harder.
MP Jaferally noted that he was very proud of the way the game is being run in the county and pledged his support as long as Foster remains at the helm of the game in the Ancient County.

He also announced that he was able to obtain three additional sponsorships for cricket in the area at the Under-15, Under-23 and Senior levels.
These tournaments would be launched shortly.

BCB, over the last few months, has assisted clubs with cricket balls, catching cribs, grass-cutters, youth information booklets, coaching manuals, bicycles, educational materials, scorebooks among other items.

The sub-association also benefited from a $324 000 pitch cover.

The covers played a major role in allowing the game to be played despite heavy overnight rain.
The winning team carried home $60 000 and a bag of cricket gear.