The riveting Caribbean Airlines Village Cricket competition is set to invade Guyana this weekend, promising exciting action to decide who represents the country at the grand final at National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad, on May 5.
Three county teams, picked by the Guyana Cricket Board, will battle for supremacy in three T10 hardball matches at the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday (April 28).
Games will start at 10:00h, 12:30h and 15:00h.
This is the final country leg of the tournament, which started in Trinidad in March and was followed by the second leg in Jamaica earlier this month.
South East, a zonal team, won the Trinidad competition, while the parish of St. Elizabeth Junction/Ballards Valley copped top honours in Jamaica.
Following the completion of the Guyana leg, a national team will be selected to represent the country in the final round against South East and St. Elizabeth Junction/Ballards Valley on May 5.
On Sunday, Demerara will face Essequibo from 10:00h, followed by Essequibo against Berbice from 12:30h and Demerara versus Berbice from 14:30h.
See below the teams for the Guyana leg
Berbice: Devon Clements (captain), Altaf Khan (vice-captain), Sasenarine Sukhu, Ryan Ramdass, Rishi Persaud, Nick Ramsaroop, Davindra Lalsa, Imran Khan, Leon Andrews, Nickel Fraser, Philbert Wilburg, Matthew Pottaya, Hemraj Heeralall, Collis Hardcourt. Manager: Lawrence Mentis and Coach: Balram Samaroo
Demerara: Shemroy Barrington (captain), Suresh Budhu (vice-captain), Trevor Benn, Andrew Lyte Jr., Richard Latiff, Jamal Gomes, Franchot Duncan-Clarke, Sheldon Alexander, Jermaine Maxwell, Kelvin Singh, Stephen Alick, Dexter George, Ryan Hemraj, Udesh Setaram. Manager Surendra Hiralal and Coach Chandrika Jeenarine
Essequibo: Yusuf Khan, Kirtis James, Kevin Gordon, Elian Whyte, Lance Roberts, Choby Hall, Orrin Gipson, Lennox Baharallyl Navishal Pooran (captain), Gladwin Henry, Kurt Benjamin, Wayne Holder, Terry Newton, Andy Ramnarine
“Squads are comprised of players who have not represented their counties in the last five years,” a statement from the Guyana Cricket Board highlighted.
About the Caribbean Village tournament (as outlined by Caribbean Airlines)
CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Garvin Medera stated, “Village cricket holds a cherished place within Caribbean culture, embodying the spirit of community, camaraderie, and the love for the game. In the Caribbean, cricket is more than a sport; it’s a tradition that brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.”
He continued, “The village cricket matches conjure feelings of home and become vibrant social events where families gather to cheer on their local teams, creating an atmosphere that transcends the boundaries of the cricket field.”
The sport serves as a unifying force, fostering a sense of identity and pride among communities.
Whether played on the breezy grounds in Guyana or the grassy fields of Jamaica, village cricket in the Caribbean is a celebration of not only athletic prowess, but also the rich cultural heritage that defines the region.
Caribbean Airlines is proud to support and promote this aspect of Caribbean life, further strengthening its commitment to connecting communities and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region.
