Aurora Knight Riders are South/Central Essequibo T/20 Champions

Feb 19, 2020 Sports

Played in overcast condition at the picturesque Imam Bacchus Cricket Ground last Sunday, Aurora Knight Riders stunned favouri

Aurora Knight Riders take a photo following their triumph.

tes Imam Bacchus Bulls via the Duckworth/Lewis method to claim their maiden T/20 title in the final of the South/Central Essequibo T/20 Cricket Tournament.
After winning the toss and opting to take first strike on a slow track and fast outfield, the Knight Riders were off to a flying start when Man of the Match Quasie Reedon dumped pacer Lallbachan Narine onto the roof of the players’ pavilion. The powerfully built Reedon, fresh off a half century in the semi final against Affiance Sport Club, continue to be positive as he found a liking for Lallbachan, hammering him for three bullet-like boundaries.
Watched by a fair sized and vocal crowd, off spinner Wayne Osborne was introduced and immediately reaped success when he had the left handed Norwayne Fredericks well taken at point for 5. The experienced Ravi Beharry batting at number three joined forces with Reedon who was quick to pounce on anything short and loose and put together a workmanlike 28 runs second wicket partnership.
The introduction of pacer Neiland Cadogan paid dividend as he quickly accounted for Beharry, comprehensively beaten and bowled, while Anand Maniram (4) and Garfield Phillips (2) were both caught behind off the lively Cadogan. Deoraj Dindyal and skipper Saieef Ally then staged a painstaking 15 runs partnership before Osborne, bowling flat and fast had Dindyal playing a loose shot and was well taken by Sheldon Charles on the long off boundary for 13. The Knight Riders’ innings quickly folded for 94 in 17.3 overs with Parmesh Parsotam and Osborne doing the damage. The level headed Ally was left stranded on 14. Bowling for the Bulls, Osborne grabbed 3-18, Cadogan 3-8 and Parsotam 3-15.
Needing 95 to claim another competition title, the Bulls started off watchfully with openers Sheldon Charles and Wayne Osborne taking no chances against a spirited Knight Riders attack. However, with the score on 12, Charles was run out for 6 attempting a quick single. Parmesh Parsotam (2) joined Osborne but did not last long as left arm spinner Garfield Phillips trapped him LBW.
With the rain evident in mind, Osborne tried to get things ‘over quickly’ but was brilliantly caught in the deep of Fredericks for 15. Yogeshwar Lall (6) and Mohindra Balbadar were at the wicket at 37-3 when the Heavens opened causing the players to scampered off the field. With the rain failing to stop, the Knight Riders were declared winners having been 8 runs ahead on the D/L method. Off spinner Fredericks had 1-10 while the dependable Phillips took 1-8.
Aurora Knight Riders collected the championship trophy along with a cash incentive while Bacchus Bulls walked away with the runner up trophy and a cash incentive as well.
Meanwhile, in the third place playoff, Affiance Sports Club hammered Invader Masters. Asked to bat on a wicket with lots of preparation moisture, the Masters without Guyana Jaguars allrounder Ricardo Adams found the going tough against some penetrative bowling and were all out for a paltry 69 in their 15 overs contest. Badesh Parsotam claimed 3-20, while the competition’s leading wicket taker Devindra Narine took 2-10. The very young and discipline Affiance Sports Club outfit made light work of the Masters’ bowling, eventually racing to 70-5 in 13 overs with Ishwar Singh leading the way with a fluent 40 which contained four well timed boundaries.
Sheldon Charles received an award for the batsman with the most runs, while Devindra Narine took home the award for the bowler with the most wickets. Wayne Osborne was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.