The remaining two semi-finalists in the Guyana Softball Association (GSA) Banks DIH sponsored 15-overs-a-side softball tournament will be decided Thursday night when the two remaining quarter-final matches will be played under floodlights at the Thirst Park ground from 5.30pm.
The first match will pit Rocky XI against La Jalousie Estate XI while Country Side XI and Boom Blast XI of West Coast will do battle in the second.
The first match promises to be a challenging one for La Jalousie Estate XI as Rocky XI are on a roll having just won the Trophy Stall competition and are at present unbeaten in this tournament.
La Jalousie Estate on the other hand, have been steadily improving and will be hoping to spring a surprise on Rocky XI after seeing most of their matches being decided at the wire against the top teams.
Rocky XI have in their line-up the experience of openers in captain Amrit “Rocky” Jairam, who won the game last Friday night for them with a belligerent 89 and also took two spectacular catches as well as wickets, and Azad Azeez.
They will be supported by Demerara under-19 batsman Balbinder Persaud, Asif Ahmad, who can also bowl and Beharry Rambharose.
Their bowling will be led by Davendra Khusial and Rambharose with able support from Asif Ahmad and Jairam.
La Jalousie Estate will have in their line-up the in-form Gobin Hansraj, who has just come off a half century in the present competition.
He will be supported by Tulsieram Pariah, who has a century in the competition. Captain Ryan Boodhoo, with scores of 99, 87 and 56 and Kellawan Tulkan, who can change the game anytime, can also add support to the batting.
The bowling will be led by the experienced Dudnauth Dhanraj and his sibling Bisham with support from Gobin Hansraj and Tulkan.
Meanwhile, the second match also promises to be an exciting affair as both teams will be looking to advance to the semis having played unbeaten in the competition so far.
Country Side XI will have in their line-up former national under-19 opener Krishna Deosarran who is back from Trinidad where he has been playing in the league.
Deosarran will have the responsibility of carrying the batting on his shoulders along with his sibling Jagdesh who has been the backbone of the team in the absence of his elder brother.
Support should come from Davanand Samaroo, Sakichan Jagdeo and Rushie Samaroo. The bowling will be led by Roy Seebarran and Richard Gomes and supported by Riaz Hanif and Sakichan Jagdeo.
Boom Blast’s batting will be led by the left-handed Ritchie “Tsunami” Reddy, who can tear any bowling apart on his day. He will be supported by Ramotar Ramroop, who has just come off a good score in the present competition, Akash Sirpaul and Shazam Balgobin. Their bowling will be led by Ramotar Ramroop and Richard Ramdhan with support from Akash Sirpaul and Surrendra Persaud.
Teams are as follows: Rocky XI from: Amrit Jairam (Captain), Azad Azeez, Asif Mohamed, Balbinder Persaud, David Allen, Beharry Rambharose, Balram Persaud, Davindra Khusial, Ganesh Singh, Omesh Prahalad, Suresh Persaud, Sunil Persaud, Mohamed Ahamid and Timur Mohamed.
La Jalousie Estate XI from : Ryan Boodhoo (Captain), Gobin Hansraj, Tulsieram Pariah, Dudnauth Dhansraj, Bisham Dhansraj, Kellawan Tulkan, Rajendra Harrinarine, Timothy Persaud, Haresh Narine, Mohen Mohamedeen, Dudnauth Singh and Nicky Persaud
Country Side XI from: Krishna Deosarran(Captain), Jagdesh Deosarran, Kumar Bishundial, Roy Seebarran, Davanand Samaroo, Richard Gomes, Chandrika Haripaul, Riaz Hanif, Navindra Persaud, Sakichan Jagdeo, Harrinarine Hira, Avenash Deonarine and Rushie Samaroo.
Boom Blast XI from: Ramotar Ramroop (Captain), Ritchie “Tsunami” Reddy, Shazam Balgobin, Akash Sirpaul, Anand Sirpaul, Surrendra Persaud, Ravin Lochan, Richard Ramdhan, Neil Bissessar, Naresh Mohamed, Sunil Persaud and Tulsi Dass.
