[www.inewsguyana.com] – Led by a man-of-the-match performance from National Communications Network’s (NCN) Keon Blades, the Calvin Roberts-led Media XI came away with an authoritative 26 – run victory over Enmore Over-40 at the Enmore Community Centre ground last Sunday.
Asked to bat first in the contest which was reduced from 20 overs to 16, due to a late start, the Media XI posted 120 for 8 from their allotted overs, led by Blades’ attacking 30 (1×6, 1×4) and 28 from John Ramsingh, who was later declared the Best Batsman.
In their turn at the wicket, Enmore Over-40, who earlier this year walked away with the Raj Singh Insurance/Trophy Stall Over-40 tournament, were bowled out for 93 in 13.4 overs, with Eon Abel 23 (4×4).
Blades returned with the ball to claim 4 for 18, completing a rout that was created by Roberts, who took 3 for 15 including the prized wickets of former national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohammed (4) and Abel, to be named the Best Bowler.
Taking first strike on a wicket that had some amount of moisture due to overnight rain, the Media XI openers John Ramsingh and Rajiv Bisnauth started briskly, adding 20 before the left-handed Bisnauth fell for nine (1×4), followed by Ravi Persaud (5), before Ramsingh and Daniel Singh added 25 for the third wicket.
Ramsingh followed up his top score of 32 in the rained-out Independence Day challenge against the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, with another solid knock of 28 (1×4), while Singh played sensibly for 16.
With the fall of Avenash Ramzan for seven, Blades proceeded to give the innings much-needed impetus in the death overs, hitting a six and four in a breezy 30 from 18 deliveries, before Esan Griffith provided a late flourish with his unbeaten 12.The other batsmen to be dismissed were Reuben Stoby (4) and Ishaka Jackman (1). Bowling for Enmore, Vijai Dass picked up 3-18 and Abel 2-13.
Faced with a tricky target on a pitch that dried out during the course of the Media XI innings, the hosts were given a solid start of 26 by Abel and former national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohamed, with the right-handed Abel being the aggressor, hitting Jackman for three consecutive fours in the fourth over before Mohamed found the cover boundary in the fifth over off Roberts.
However, the very next delivery Mohamed (4) saw his off stump rocked back as Roberts found some late movement to spark jubilation in the Media camp and three deliveries later Jagdesh Persaud (2) was dismissed in similar fashion at 28-2, as Roberts started with a double-wicket over.
It soon became 32-3 in the seventh over when Roberts removed the dangerous Abel for 23 (4×4), brilliantly caught by Ramzan, running in from the long-on boundary.
After Abel’s demise, it all went downhill for Enmore as Blades proceeded to rip through the middle and lower order, picking up 4-16 from 2.4 overs, despite a wayward first over in which he sent down six wides. Left-arm spinner Ravi Persaud and fast bowler Jermaine Neblett picked up one wicket each, while Ganeshram Diyaram chipped in with 12 (2×4) towards the end of Enmore’s innings, which lasted 13.4 overs.
All the trophies, including those for the winners and runners-up, were sponsored by Tiger Sports of Enmore Old Road. Roberts lauded his players for the win and expressed appreciation for the hospitality provided by the Enmore team.
