Windsor Forest wins Keen 360 50-over title; Balgobin slams 169 in huge total

The West Meten-Meer-Zorg Community Center Ground came alive on Sunday (September 28) as Windsor Forest Center Team of West Demerara produced a record-breaking performance to defeat La Grange All Stars of West Bank Demerara by a massive 233-run margin in the final of the Keen 360 50-over competition.

A batting masterclass from Windsor Forest

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Windsor Forest immediately signaled their intent. National Under-19 batsman Sachin Balgobin stole the show with a brilliant knock of 169, anchoring the innings with maturity and flair well beyond his years. His strokeplay was a blend of timing and aggression that had the crowd on their feet.

Balgobin received valuable support at the top from Kenzo Baksh, who contributed a composed 55 before being bowled. The middle order then shifted gears, with Killon Tracy playing a blazing unbeaten innings of 70, ensuring Windsor Forest kept the pressure on until the close of their 50 overs.

By the time their innings ended, Windsor Forest had amassed a mammoth total of 417-5, leaving La Grange staring at a daunting chase. Despite the onslaught, La Grange’s Tyrone Carrington bowled with discipline, emerging as the pick of the bowlers with 3-50 from his 10 overs.

La Grange batters struggle in reply

Chasing such an imposing target, La Grange All Stars needed a special effort from their batting line-up. However, they faltered under the weight of scoreboard pressure and the precision of Windsor Forest’s bowling.

Maniram Singh fought hard at the top with a defiant 40, while Naresh Persaud (28) and Jhadesh Persaud (27) offered brief resistance. But wickets fell at regular intervals, and La Grange were eventually dismissed for 184 inside 36.3 overs.

The Windsor Forest bowling unit shared the spoils, led by the experienced Chanderpaul Ramraj, who claimed 3-29 from eight overs. Veteran spinner Lalta Suknanan and skipper Kishaun Tracy added two wickets apiece, ensuring no La Grange batter could settle long enough to threaten the outcome.

Stars of the tournament

The final not only crowned Windsor Forest as champions, but also highlighted individual brilliance across the tournament.

Man of the Match (Final): Sachin Balgobin for his superb 169.

Leading Run-Scorer: La Grange’s Imtiaz Ghani, who finished with 325 runs from his six innings, including four half-centuries.

Most Wickets: Windsor Forest’s Lalta Suknanan, whose tally of 15 wickets proved pivotal throughout the competition.

Raffle Draw adds excitement

The day’s festivities also featured the West Demerara Cricket Association’s raffle drawing, which brought added excitement to the crowd. Romona Mohamed claimed the grand prize of an electric bike, while other winners walked away with household appliances and consolation prizes, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

A tournament to remember

The Keen 360 50-over competition will be remembered for its high standard of cricket, which featured 17 half-centuries and three centuries during the preliminary stages, culminating in a final that exceeded expectations. Windsor Forest’s blend of youth and experience proved too strong, as they sealed the championship in emphatic fashion.

(SOURCE: West Demerara Cricket Association)