MATTHEW Nandu returned to the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) 2023 season in ruthless fashion on Sunday with an amazing all-round display that left those in attendance at the Ashtonbee Number One ground in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, dumbfounded.

Representing Kaieteur International Sports Club A in the Elite League, the highest division in the SCA, Nandu, who was playing his second game of the current season, destroyed defending champions Naseeb Cricket Club’s batting with the remarkable figures of five wickets for one run, then returned with the bat to finish on an even half century as his team won emphatically by 10 wickets.

Electing to bat first on a bright and sunny day, Naseeb, who were 58 for three in the 14th over, catapulted to 76 all out in 22.2 overs in the 50-over affair with Nandu being virtually unplayable with his off-spin bowling. Such was the devastation that the one run score off him came after he had taken the fifth wicket.

Former Canadian Under-19 left-arm spinner, Raqiib Shamsudeen, supported with three for 18 in 7.2 overs while birthday boy, Eshaun Dass, took two for 16 in four.
In reply, Nandu slammed nine exquisite fours and a six off 31 balls in his 50 not out while fellow opener Nicholas Manohar’s unbeaten 24 off 31 balls, contained two fours.
Kaieteur International A sit fourth on the Elite table with 45 points, the same as Ambassadors Sports Club A, the latter with a better net run rate. Island Warriors lead the race with 60 points with Highland Creek in the second spot with 50.

Nandu, who made his Guyana senior debut earlier this year, is also a former West Indies Under-19 opener. He was also a part of the West Indies Academy which returned to action for a three-match series as part of their High Performance Camp in Antigua last month. (Frederick Halley)