On Sunday, July 19th in some hot and humid conditions at Franklin Field in Boston, Conway’s captain and former Jamaica Under-19 player Nicoy Samuels won the toss and inserted Guyana to take first strike.
Hemant Punoo (left) and Sharaz Baksh hit half centuries in Guyana win.
Guyana’s Sharaz Baksh seized the opportunity to continue his prolific season with another well composed half-century. Hemant Punoo also smashed an elegant half-century, striking 2x4s and 3x6s.
Conroy’s Shawn Blackwood struck in his second over removing the in form Bereston Reid for 14. Sharaz Baksh then joined Mohabir Balgobin (42) at the wicket and Baksh was in supreme form the moment he took strike, flicking the first two balls he faced from Blackwood for back-to-back boundaries. Balgobin was happy to play the supporting roll turning over the strike to his captain who was scoring fluently. The pair added 95 runs for the second-wicket before Baksh top-edged a sweep shot and was caught at square-leg for 66 off 50 balls, including 4x4s and 2x6s.
Hemant Punoo (58) begun his innings watchfully then tore into the bowling attack with some spectacular flicks and hooks, and gave the innings good momentum when it was necessary. He was eventually caught at midwicket looking to accelerate at the death overs. Guyana amassed 258 for 8 when the allotted 40 overs expired. Timmy Thomas and Donnayue Spence picked up three wickets each.
In reply, Conway got off to a flying start compliments to Shawn Blackwood (32) who was in a no-nonsense mood taking the attack to the bowlers before he lost his middle stump to Lenroy Bruce. Phillip William (32) and Nicoy Samuels (41) found it difficult to score. Samuels in particular was not able to rotate the strike often enough to capitalized on the momentum. The only other significant contribution was from Norris Campbell, 31. Conway was eventually bundled out for 158. Lenroy Bruce, Rudy Jaglall and Oditnarine Ramlochan finished with three wickets apiece.