The fourth installment of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter-County 50 overs tournament was officially unveiled yesterday at the Board’s Office, Regent Street.
Speaking at the launching of the tournament that bowls off on Monday, proprietor of the 29-year-old business, Dave Narine, spoke confidently of his assurance in sponsoring this tournament fully for the first time and future tournaments.
Narine explained that his lifelong love for the game is unwavering and that he had always wanted to be a part of the sport, so he approached the GCB to sponsor a tournament and was given the U15s which fitted into his ideology.
The businessman related that the youths are the future and it is through these grassroots tournaments that talent is spotted, noting that it is with much pride that he is associated with the development of young players.
Chairman of the Competitions Committee, Colin Europe explained to those in attendance that the tournament will be played in a round-robin format and will see the introduction of bonus points. In an effort to reward fast bowlers, teams will now have 0.1 point of every wicket taken by the seamers while batting over 45 overs will see the team taking one point and winning the match after scoring over 250 runs will see a team earning two points for a maximum of 10 points per game, including six for the win.
Marketing Manager of the GCB, Raj Singh, indicated that the tournament will be used to “soft launch” the GCB Online Scoring app whereby for the first time, people will be able to get access to scores on their mobile devices once they have downloaded the GCB app.
Singh stated the aim is to complete the tournament in a one-week span, pointing out the expense of hosting these tournaments including the costs of food and accommodation.
The tournament, however, remains centralised in Georgetown, despite Berbice and Essequibo having good showings in the previous editions.
Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart was adamant about the privileges that are afforded to the children who turn out to represent their county as well as those named in the President’s XI who still have a chance to make the national side.
Stuart encouraged the youngsters to put their best foot forward and set their goals high as they begin their career in the sport.
Demerara will be skippered by Alvin Mohabir who led Georgetown to the Demerara Cricket Board Inter-Association U15 tournament and he will have the services of all-rounder and national player, Zachary Jodah as his deputy. National player, Isai Thorne will be at the helm of Berbice while Gladwin Henry was named skipper of Essequibo and West Demerara’s Nityanand Mathura will lead the President’s XI.
Reigning champions, Berbice will open the tournament against Demerara at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) while Essequibo will take on the President XI at Everest Cricket Club from 09.30 hrs.
On Tuesday, Berbice will face Essequibo at Lusignan Community Center and Everest will host President XI against Demerara.
Teams are (Demerara): Alvin Mohabir (captain), Zachary Jodah, Thaddeus Lovell, Lavindra Dindyal, Romeo Deonarain, Jayden Campbell, Zahid Baksh, Omari Lallbachan, Riyad Latif, Joash Charles, Dhanesh Persaud, Vishaul Persaud, Krsna Singh, and Avinash Rajkumar.
Berbice: Isai Thorne (captain), Rampertab Ramnauth, Christopher Deroop, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Kelvin Samuels, Mark Ramalho, Damion Cecil, Ravishkar Sobhai, Tuvishkar Shaundeo, Salim Khan, Matthew Pottaya, Bashkar Dhanai, Niquan Samuels, Avishkar Persaud.
Essequibo: Gladwin Henry (captain), Terrence Softleigh, Shaazif Mohamed, Aryon Doodnauth, Ravy Nandolall, Govinda Tulsie, Deo Kanhai, Manesh Sookdeo, Justin Megue, Sherwin Stoll, Gvion Arokium, Rajindra Ramballi and Sarwan Bishram.
President’s XI: Nityanand Mathura (captain), Brandon Khan, Sachin Balgobin, Nicholas Shewpersaud, Baskhar Shamlall, Rezekiel Renee, Panav Ramnarine, Jamie Mendes, Golcharran Chulai, Seemangal Pamesh, Altore Balman, Satya Grance, Kumar Deopersaud, Sanjay Algoo, Dillon Ramsaroop.
