The Odle XI outplayed Crosse XI in two of the three trial matches organized by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and played at the National Stadium, Providence over the weekend in an attempt to have a closer look at the best possible side to represent Guyana at this year’s Regional Clico Under-15 cricket tournament slated for Dominica from 15th -24th March.
In the first trial game played on Saturday, the Odle XI led by an unbeaten 101 from the captain Jamally Odle got the better of Crosse XI by a whopping 57 runs. Batting first, Odle XI were bowled out for 205. Odle struck his runs from 126 deliveries and it was decorated with 12 fours and one six. Clinton Pestano with 26 (3x4s) and Jamal La Fleur 21 (2x4s) offered support to Odle.
Chanderpaul Hemraj (2-24), Sharmindra Hardyal (2-37) and Rensford Beaton (2-50) led the bowling for Crosse’s XI who in reply were bowled out for 148. Kwame Crosse with 23 (3x4s), Safraz Esaun 29 (1×4) and Jahron Byron 21 led the batting.
In the second match that was played the following day, Crosse’s XI defeated Odle XI by 98 runs. After being asked to take first strike they were bowled out for 230 then returned to restrict their opponents to 132.
In the Crosse XI innings, Dayanand Roopnarine with an unbeaten 65 and Berbician Dominique Ricky who made a quick-fire 36- ball 62 led the batting while Gudakesh Motie took 3-16. In reply Odle’s XI were bowled out for 132 with only Brian Sattaur’s 20 being the lone contributor.
Byron enjoyed a good game with the ball taking 3-9 while 14-year-old Arif Habib who was not a part of the victorious Demerara side that won the Castrol Inter- County under-15 title from Berbice, took 2-14 and Raj Nanan 2-19.
In the third and final game played yesterday, Odle’s XI defeated Crosse’s XI by four wickets. After restricting their opponents to 133, Odle’s XI replied with 140-6.
In the Crosse XI innings, Roopnarine continued his excellent showing with the bat as he led the scoring with 24 (3x4s) while Crosse 22 and Pestano 21 offered support. Lloydel Lewis took 6-29 while Motie was once again amongst the wickets this time taking 4-11.
Odle’s XI replied with 140-6 on the back of a polished 28 from opener Alex Ramalho and 23 from Odle. Habib inked his name in the minds of the selectors who were present with 3-26.
The team to represent Guyana will be named today.
