By Avenash Ramzan
Pandemonium reigned in the final moments of the Under-13 bilateral series between Guyana and Barbados on Friday at the Everest Ground, bringing a chaotic and somewhat fitting end to a competitive series between the two nations.
Barbados rebounded in fantastic fashion to win the five-match series 3-2, a remarkable turnaround from being 2-0 down after the opening two games.
In the final showdown, the Guyanese were coasting at 78-2 in the 18th over chasing a relatively modest target of 104 before all hell broke loose.
After about 45 minutes of pure mayhem, the home team was bowled out for 103, losing their last eight wickets for just 25 runs in the space of 10.4 overs.
Guyana would reflect on the 69 deliveries that were unused and the magnificent opportunity that was missed to win the series after consecutive defeats in Matches Three and Four.
In the Super Over, Guyana made 6-1 and Barbados replied with 7-0, winning with one ball to spare after the impressive left-arm spinner Jaden Ganpat was handed the ball to defend.
The run-chase started with Daniel Johnson and Deshawn Ramnauth giving Guyana a steady opening stand of 21 before the latter was dismissed for four off 15.
Johnson and Afraz Khan, who made 12, then added a quick 16 for the second, after which the diminutive Johnson and skipper Sahid Gajnabi put on 41 for the third wicket, the most productive partnership for the Guyanese.
Thereafter, wickets tumbled with alarming frequency as a combination of factors- good bowling, poor running and perhaps nervousness- brought a game that was drifting in one direction to life.
The diminutive left-hander Johnson topscored with 26 off 72 (1×4), and Gajnabi made 22 off 27 (3x4s).
Bowling for Barbados, Z’Dari Scantlebury took 3-7, Kijani Inniss 2-29, Natarie Lavine 1-16 and Liam Sookram 1-18.
Earlier, Barbados also squandered a solid platform, slipping from 61-1 at the start of the 13th over and losing their last nine wickets for just 42 runs.
Ky-mani Inniss made a match-high 37 off 40 (5x4s, 1×6) and the consistent Lavine chipped in with 20 off 46.
Bowling for Guyana, Gajnabi (3-25), Khan (2-5) and Ganpat (2-14) were leading wicket-takers, while Brandon Grimmond (1-3) and Ramnauth (1-19) chipped in.
At the presentation ceremony which followed, Barbados lifted the championship trophy, while Guyana had to settle for the runner-up trophy.
Players from both teams were presented with medals, while members of the management teams were given plaques. The top individual performers were also recognised for their efforts in the series.
The series was formalised following discussions between President of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh and President of the Barbados Cricket Association Calvin Hope to provide young players from both countries with early exposure to competitive cricket and the opportunity to develop their skills in a structured, cross-territory environment.
Singh and Hope, both Cricket West Indies Directors, were present on Friday afternoon to address the players and assist in the presentation of prizes.
It is understood that preliminary discussions have started between the two Boards for a similar exchange at the Under-17 level following the decision by Cricket West Indies to shelf the regional tournament for this age group.
Awards
- Most Valuable Player (Barbados)– Natarie Lavine (170 runs and two wickets)
- Most Valuable Player (Guyana)– Sahid Gajnabi (87 runs and five wickets)
- Most Runs (Barbados)– Natarie Lavine (170)
- Most Runs (Guyana)– Lomar Seecharran (161)
- Most Wickets (Barbados)– Kijani Inniss (7)
- Most Wickets (Guyana)– Jaden Ganpat (5)
Most Runs (50 or more)
- Natarie Lavine (Barbados)- 170
- Lomar Seecharran (Guyana)- 161
- Ky-mani Inniss (Barbados)- 103
- Sahid Gajnabi (Guyana)- 87
- Afraz Khan (Guyana)- 79
- Jon-David Greene (Barbados)- 61
- Daniel Johnson (Guyana)- 53
Most Wickets (Three or more)
- Kijani Inniss (Barbados)- 7
- Jaden Ganpat (Guyana)- 5
- Sahid Gajnabi (Guyana)- 5
- Deshawn Ramnauth (Guyana)- 4
- Afraz Khan (Guyana)- 4
- Z’Dari Scantlebury (Barbados)- 4
- Anahri Hinds (Barbados)- 3
- Jaheim Springer (Barbados)- 3
- Jasani Craig (Guyana)- 3
Results
Game One: Guyana won by seven wickets at Lusignan
Game Two: Guyana won by nine wickets at Lusignan
SUMMARY: Barbados 138 all out from 39.2 overs (Natarie Lavine 65, Extras 35; Deshawn Ramnauth 3-21, Jasani Craig 2-24, Adrian Emmanuel 2-26) vs Guyana 139-1 from 16.2 overs (Lomar Seecharran 82*, Sahid Gajnabi 20*; Jaheim Springer 1-41)
Game Three: Barbados won by three wickets at Lusignan
Game Four: Barbados won by seven wickets at Everest
Game Five: Barbados won the Super Over after a tied game at Everest
The post Barbados win U-13 series against Guyana after final game thriller appeared first on News Room Guyana.
