By John L. Aaron
The two words – Guyana and Cricket – are as synonymous as rivers and the country Guyana. Cricket – the principal national pastime sport of Guyana, is played throughout the three counties of the 83,000sq. mile South American nation.
Mark your calendars – Saturday, August 6, 2016 is the 7th Annual Guyana Inter-County T20 Cricket Tournament at Baisley Pond Park, in Queens, New York. The three counties identified by rivers of the same names – Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, have been involved in inter-county cricket challenges for as long as organized cricket has been played in Guyana.
The Demerara team that recently participated in the Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Cricket Fest. Photos by Shiek Mohamed
Berbice and Demerara have produced the likes of Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Lance Gibbs, Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Clayton Lambert, Sew Shivnarain, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ronnie Sarwan, and a host of other players, who have not only represented their respective counties and Guyana, but have represented the West Indies on the international cricket circuit.
With the migration of nationals from Guyana to the USA, came the love and fervor for the sport, so it was inevitable that the same passion was transported among the former constituents of those counties. Thus, began the Guyana Inter-County Cricket rivalry in the New York metropolitan area, where the best of the best player representatives have emerged to represent the three counties.
This year’s New York Guyana Inter-County T20 Cricket Tournament, as in recent years, is sponsored by Insaf “Birdman” Ali – a cricket enthusiast extraordinaire who’s putting his money where his heart is; in cricket, and for the enjoyment of fans of the sport.
Saturday, August 6, 2016 is the calendar date for the Guyana Inter-County Cricket Tournament, at Baisley Pond Park in Rockaway, NY. Defending champion Demerara has drawn a bye, so Berbice will be challenged by Essequibo in the first match of the day set to start at 9:30 am. The winner of that contest will meet the defending champion Demerara in the grand finale at 1:00 pm at the same venue.
The winning team will receive $2,500.00, and the runner-up $1,500.00. In addition, the Grand Sponsor Insaf Ali, CEO of Windsor Mechanical Corp., will present $100.00 to each spectator who grabs a one-handed catch off the bat of any of the batsmen at the crease during the tournament. Hafeez Ali, CEO of The Rockaway Group of Companies will present $20.00 to each participating batsman for every six they hit during the tournament.
The Essequibo team.
An exciting day of cricket is expected, as the counties have a long and historical rivalry, and each will be looking for bragging rights come Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Baisley Pond Park, located at 150th Street and Rockaway Blvd, in Queens, New York.
Berbice will feature some exciting batsmen, including two USA national players in Karan Ganesh and Alex Amsterdam, along with Dominique Rikki and Terence Madramootoo. Defending champion Demerara will showcase some exciting talent in Chris Pattadin, Trevor Henry, Andre “Rusty” Kirton and Randall Wilson, along with Francis Mendonca, just called up as part of a 30-man USA national training squad. Essequibo – the Cinderella County will be well represented with players such as the fiery pacer Mark Tyrell, Telston Johnson, and stalwarts Clain Williams, Tamesh Balwant and Mark Gomes, among others.
SQUADS ANNOUNCED
ESSEQUIBO:
M. Gomes, C. Ismond, A. Raheem, A. Mohamed, D. Baksh, T. Johnson, T. Balwant, C. Williams, R. Goardan, Z. Majeed, M. Tyrell, P. Mahadeo, V. Persaud, S. Ragubaur and T. Blyden. Manager – E. Asgarally.
BERBICE:
K. Ganesh, R. Ramdeen, D. Narine, A. Amsterdam, D. Rikki, M. Noble, R, Batson, T. Madramootoo, M. Khan, D. Prashad, K. Ramu, T. Carmichael, B. Baldeo, A. Homraj and Z. Khan. Manager – Jameel “JZ” Mohamed, Asst. Manager – Ajit Mootoo, Coach – Sew Shivnarain, Asst. Coach – Zamin. Amin.
DEMERARA:
B. Sattaur, W. Aslim, Azeem Khan, A. Kirton, R. Wilson, K. Nandalall, T. Henry, V. Singh, C. Pattadin, Ameer Khan, F. Mendonca, J. Sookdeo and R. Bactowar. Manager – Hafeez Ali, Asst. Manager – Qayaam Farrouq.
For more information contact Bhola Ramsundar (917) 691-7411 or Qayaam Farrouq (917) 225-5805.