Guyana level series 1-1 with 43-run win against T&T

By Sean Devers
RICHARD Ramdeholl’s MVP performance led Guyana to a comfortable 43-run win against Trinidad & Tobago at Providence, yesterday, to level the four-match Goodwill U-13 series 1-1.

Ramdeholl, Guyana’s vice-captain, took three wickets for no run and got support from skipper and left-arm spinner Brandon Henry (2-17) and pacer Raffel McKenzie (2-29) as Extras top-scored with 21 and no batter reached double figures for the visitors.

Guyana were earlier bowled out in 38 overs for 99 as Mohammed Ballie top-scored with 17 and Arif Marimutoo and Rayad Latiff supported with 13 each, as pacer Tyler Ramroop followed up his two-wicket haul on Sunday, with 3-15 while Ramtahal collected his second three-for. taking 3-16.

On a day blessed with bright sunshine, a small but vocal gathering which included relatives of the players from the visiting team, Guyana elected to on a track with some bounce and a lush green outfield.

Albion’s Ballie, who replaced the ultra-cautious Lomar Seecharran at the top of the order, batted with positive intent.

He and Essequibo’s Ravid Fredericks who scored four from 19 balls, took the score to 10 before Mikel Ali held another brilliant catch at slip, to send Fredericks on his way, as the impressive Ramroop made the breakthrough.

Ballie played some nice cuts and demonstrated a good technique but Ramroop, tearing in from the northern end, bowled Seecharran with a perfect yorker before he had scored and Guyana were 14-2

Ballie, who reached the boundary three times from his 19 balls, was bowled by Reyad Jerome at 27-3 to bring to an end a promising innings.

Makai Dowlin, watched by his dad (former Test batter Travis Dowlin), was unfortunately run-out for duck at 28-5. and when Ramdeholl (9) who was beginning to look good, was bowled by Abdiel Boland, the home team were wobbling at 34-5.

Marimutoo threw his bat around and hit two boundaries in his 13. Henry (9) and Rayaz Latiff, unbeaten on 13 added 15 before McKenzie (11) rallied Guyana, who were bowled out for 43 on Sunday, to a much better batting performance yesterday setting the visitors a three-figure.

When T&T began their reply, Berbician McKenzie bowled Ramroop for a duck before trapping Mikaeel Ali (6) lbw to leave the lads from Carnival Country on 12-2 to the delight of a small flag-waving and horn-blowing contingent of Guyanese supporters in the Green stand.

Skipper Zakariyya Mohammed (5) was run-out, Reyad Jerome (3) was bowled around his legs by Henry before Roberto Badree (9) tried to hit a high full toss from Henry as hard as possible and skied the ball for the bowler to take the catch and leave the Trinis on 47.

Ramtahal (6) was removed by Ramdeholl at 54-6 and the last four batters fell for two runs with Brian Harricharran not being able to bat due to a stomach bug as Ramdeholl picked up three quick wickets.

Tomorrow, the penultimate game in the four-match series is scheduled to be played at the same venue starting at 10:00hrs.