Ali-Mohammed blitz destroys Ace Warriors

Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed dispatches Clayon Halley onto the roof of the Gandhi Youth Organisation pavilion. (Romario Samaroo photo)
Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed dispatches Clayon Halley onto the roof of the Gandhi Youth Organisation pavilion. (Romario Samaroo photo)

A 17-ball 62 by Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed flattened Ace Warriors at the  Gandhi Youth Organisation ground on Saturday as the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) raced to a five-wicket win in the Georgetown Cricket Association/New Building Society Second Division 40-overs tournament.

Batting first, Ace Warriors were all out for 142 in 30.5 overs while GCC required only 18 overs to reach their target of 143, losing five wickets along the way.

GCC were in a spot of bother losing Martin Pestano-Belle with the score on 17 but recovered with Timothy McAlmont joining Marlon Persaud to put on 52 for the second wicket. Persaud was bowled by Clayon Halley for 17 which included two boundaries to bring Ali-Mohammed to the crease.

Ali-Mohammed in his first game since returning from the Guyana team that participated in the Cricket West Indies Regional Super50 tournament blasted six fours and six sixes straight down the ground.

His innings was particularly brutal on Halley, whom he dispatched for 17 and 26 in successive overs, forcing the captain to exit the bowling attack as he was launched to all parts of the neighbouring trench and into the Tutorial High School.

During his innings, Ali-Mohammed saw just two dot balls and two singles with the rest coming in boundaries.

Speaking with Stabroek Sport, Ali-Mohammed said he came out with a point to prove with the Guyana captain, Leon Johnson among the spectators. Ali-Mohammed commented that the bowling was like that of batting in the nets.

Ali-Mohammed was supported by McAlmont who was happy to give Ali-Mohammed the strike but was also brutal, scoring 35, inclusive of six fours. McAlmont was lucky to be dropped on 34 after the two fielders collided straight down the ground.

Only Meqial Parks showed some form with the ball, taking 2-10 from his two overs including the wickets of Ali-Mohammed who was bowled and Gavin Singh who was trapped leg before wicket.

Earlier, Ace Warriors were given a golden start as Rawl Enmore and Murtland Ward shared an opening stand of 50, scoring 20 and 28 respectively. However, Bernard Bailey and Singh blew away the top order as only Parks with 19 and Davendra Lall with 20 not out showed any intention of batting long.

Singh ended with 3-37 while Bailey, Chetram Persaud and Stephon Wilson complimented with two wickets each.