‘Stars on Show’ tapeball tournament returns January 1

The lucrative tapeball tournament, dubbed ‘Stars on Show’, has returned for its third year and organiser, Dexter George, is expecting some thrilling action given the lack of cricket for the most part of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The tournament has been approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force and will be played at Durban Park on January 1 and 3. Each team will comprise seven players and games will be six overs per side.

According to George, “persons have been starved for cricket” and they are expecting some exciting action.

Last year, 19 teams registered and George said the aim is to achieve similar or more before registration closes on December 31.

The registration fee is G$10,000 per team and George can be contacted on 671-0458.

“Last year, we had six teams scoring over 100 runs off their six overs, and on four of those occasions it was chased down. All of those teams are returning so it spells for some exciting action.”

The inaugural champions were Village Rams, while in 2019, V-Net Communications Vipers defeated Rams in a one-sided final at the National Park.

Vipers’ captain Antony Adams said his team is returning to defend the title and urged all players to abide by the COVID-19 rules. He said he is simply happy to be playing any form of cricket after the long lay-off due to the pandemic.

George, a former national youth player, felt the Rams along with Eccles All Stars and Tarmac are some top teams, but there are underdogs who can spark surprises.

The championship side will pocket G$120,000, while the runners-up will collect half that sum.

The Man-of-the-Match in the final will receive G$5,000 and a speaker box, while the player with the fastest 40 will get G$5,000.

The main sponsors are Hand-in-Hand Insurance, 3s Legacy Fuel and Mining from the Mazaruni River, Power Producers and Distributors Inc., Aqua Suns and Water along with Banks DIH Limited.