Super Nedd powers DCC to thrilling win over GCC
SUMMARY: DCC 147 (Qumar Torrington 37, Sachin Singh 18; Aryon Persaud 2-23, Daius Andrews 2-31) beat GCC 125 (Thaddeus Lovell 27, Mavindra Dindyal 23; Ashmead Nedd 5-13; Daniel Mootoo 2-20, Singh 2-20) by 22 runs
By Akeem Greene
West Indies Youth spinner Ashmead Nedd delivered all the goods to serve up victory for Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in a nerve-wracking final against arch-rivals Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in a high-intensity Under-19 final at Bourda Sunday.
The 50-over clash was the culmination of a Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) organised tournament, sponsored by Noble House Seafoods. DCC won by 22 runs.
In a low-scoring contest, Nedd, the left-arm spinner, had figures of 10 overs, six maidens, thirteen runs, five wickets, and produced the winning run-out, via a stupendous and athletic piece of fielding on the boundary.
It capped off a fine display for ‘Captain Fantastic’, whose side bundled out GCC for 125 in 44.4 overs after DCC posted 147. GCC had a tale of two contrasting halves in their innings.
Chasing 148, the GCC lads were coasting at 60-0 by the 15th over. However, the slide started when Andsuega Rodrigues was bowled by Sachin Singh for 16. Thaddeus Lovell, filled with immense talent, did not convert and withered for 27.
GCC were now 79-2, and the tables were turning and Nedd accelerated the pace bowling from the North Road End. He turned it square on the slow surface, to beat both edges.
Star batsman Mavendra Dindyal offered dogged resistance with 23 (2x4s; 1×6), but even his class could not temper Nedd.
With every GCC batsman trotting back to the Pavilion in a flurry, supporters moved from their slouched seats of relaxation to the edges with tension, since the Queenstown-based boys were beginning to show why they are top of the ladder in Georgetown cricket.
A relatively comfortable position of 79-2 became 92-8, and there was no letting up in the attack by DCC, given another left-arm spinner in Daniel Mootoo kept the shackles at one end. He had 2-20 from his allotment, which included five maidens.
GCC Captain Shadrack Bacon and Carlos Pollard grew the tension close to bursting point, with a streaky 23-run eight-wicket partnership. It frustrated DCC until Singh returned to the attack and produced an excellent yorker, uprooting Bacon for six. Pollard was the last man dismissed via run out for a fighting 15 in the circumstances.
DCC’s first strike on the track did not live up to expectations since the attacking opening pair of Tameshwar Permaul (6) and Garrick Persaud (13) added only six, and Singh, their premier batsman, fell for just 18.
Nedd and Mootoo made 12 and 14 respectively, but it was the knock of 37 (1×4; 1×6) by national youth player Qumar Torrington which boosted the total in the 48.3 overs the team lasted.
More known for his express speed with the ball, the right-hander operated in sedate mode, which bailed DCC out of a position of dire trouble, having been 83-6. Aryon Persaud (2-23) and Darius Andrew (2-31) were the most successful bowlers for the home side.
