Dave West Indian First-Division 50-over final…
By Frederick Halley
A MASTERFUL all-round performance from Kevin Sinclair, which saw the talented 26-year-old blasting a superb unbeaten 137 and claiming three for 32, ensured the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) defeated archrivals Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) by five wickets, thereby earning their first major title in over a decade.
Set a modest 201 for victory in the 2025 Dave West Indian sponsored 50-over First Division, Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) affair, played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), GCC, led by the flamboyant Sinclair, achieved the target in 25 overs with the Berbician smashing an incredible 14 fours and 10 sixes off 105 balls.
Sinclair lost his opening partner Navindra Persaud (one) in the second over with only 12 runs on the tins but proceeded to dominate a second wicket partnership of 82 with Mavendra Dinidial, who only contributed five before he went run out attempting a second run which seemed definitely on. However, Sinclair thought otherwise.
Undaunted by the loss of his fellow National player, Sinclair added a further 71 with the left-handed Mathew Nandu (13). The latter’s departure at 153 in the 17th over, saw a mini collapse with fast bowler Mark Cumberbatch sending back Martin Pestano-Belle and Yeudistir Persaud without scoring as GCC slipped to 153 for five.
Playing with much maturity at that stage, Sinclair found a useful ally in his skipper Ronald Alli-Mohamed, as they navigated the DCC bowling, allaying any further fears. When victory was achieved after 25 overs, Mohamed was unbeaten on 24 which included two fours and an equal number of sixes.
Cumberbatch finished with four for 42 from six overs and had the unique distinction of being the only bowler to claim a wicket, the other going via the run out route.
Earlier, DCC, asked to take first strike found themselves in dire straits at 33 for five in the ninth over with fast bowler Carlos LaRose sending back Sachin Singh (five), Alphius Bookie (0) and National captain, Kevin Imlach (five) while Sinclair accounted for Joshua Persaud (13) and Lomar Seecharran (nine).
Former National all-rounder Christopher Barnwell and Jonhatan VanLange, also a current National player, averted further damage with a fine sixth wicket partnership of 98 before Barnwell (48) held out to Devon Lord at long on to hand Sinclair his third scalp, after hitting five fours and six.
Barnwell’s dismissal in the 24th over was followed swiftly with the departure of VanLange in the following over, caught at mid-off by Alli-Mohamed off Yeudistir Persaud for 46 which included five fours and two sixes.
Teenager Jaden Dowlin, with a useful unbeaten 35 (three fours) held the lower-order together but the final score of 200 proved inadequate.
Sinclair was predictably named man-of-the-match for his brilliant all-round performance and also received a trophy for the player with the highest score in the final.
DCC’s Cumberbatch collected a trophy for claiming the best figures in the final.
Sponsor Dave Narine, who was on hand to hand out all the trophies and medals, pledged to renew sponsorship for the next tournament which is slated to commence next week.
