… ..- The efforts of Guyanese cricketers in vain
WESTERN Indian cricketers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle formed a 107-run second-wicket partnership, to lead the Atlanta Paramveers to a 10-run victory in the final of the 2020 US Open T20 Cricket competition, which ended yesterday at Central Broward Regional Park in Florida.
The game against 22Yards, which had six Guyanese players, proved to be an entertaining encounter.
Paramveers missed the throw and were inserted into bats, but with Charles and Gayle firing from all cylinders, the side managed to post 182-6 of their assigned missiles, 22Yard in response, reaching 172-7 before their pellets expire.
The St. Lucian Charles, who flew to Florida after helping Jaffna Stallions win the Lankan Premier League, batted himself to 70 of 50 balls (9X4s, 1X6), while Gayle hit three sixes and four fours. 49 of 36 balls.
Barnwell denied Gayle his half-century, before West Indies cricketer Rutherford with his fast middle right arm rocked in middle order.
Steven Taylor (one run) was caught in the 15th over, before picking up two wickets in the 17th, Param Patel and Johnson.
However, South African cricketer Wayne Parnell played a few shots towards the end, which pushed the total forward. There were 27 of Parnell’s 12 balls, including five fours.
Rutherford finished with 3-24 four overs, while Barnwell and Ashmead Neath picked up one wicket each. Devendra Bishoo, didn’t bow, but was key with three catches.
In the hunt, another Guyanese, Trevon Griffith got off to a solid start, but he and opening partner Ahad Malek were a little too slow. Malek netted 28 of 22 balls, and Griffith 42 of 33 balls including two sixes and an equal amount of four. Andre McCarthy also took some time in the middle, took his 22 runs of 18 balls and included two sixes, while Rutherford could only reach 11 out of eight balls (1X4).
Only until Barnwell came to the crease did the runs begin to flow and victory looked possible. But the DCC cricketer was ruled out in the latter’s second ball over for 35 out of 20 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes. When he fell, Sinclair hit a maximum before he fell, but it proved to be too late.
Parnell picked up two wickets, while Gayle and Evroy Dyer finished with one wicket each.
Caption: Johnson Charlles tasted 70 of 50 balls with 9 fours and one six.