The Guyanese national cricket team romped to a comfortable victory this past Wednesday at the Ronald Webster Park in the Valley, Anguilla over the newcomers of the Cayman Islands in the 2000 Red Stripe Bowl. Guyana, who are one of the firm favourites in the 2000 Red Stripe Bowl, were graced with the presence of former West Indies’ master- class batsmen, Carl Hooper, who returned to the Guyana National squad to help bridge the gap between the youngsters and first-class cricket.

The Cayman Islands, who won the toss, asked Guyana to bat on a typically hard and fast Anguillian batting track which was once again produced by ace curator Dale Rogers and his ground-staff crew. However, the Guyana team, initially made hard work of scoring runs as openers Richardo Mohammed (15) and Azeemul Haniff (40) started slowly against a very disciplined Cayman Island bowling attack that kept to a good line and length and continued to frustrate the young Guyanese opening pair. However, when Mohamed fell to the bowling of Kenute Tulloch, former West Indian one-day batsmen, Keith Semple took advantage of the inexperienced Cayman bowling attack and blasted 79 from a mere 100 balls with seven blistering boundaries. After Haniff fell, offering a simple catch to mid-on, Semple was then joined by Hooper, who played an equally important role as he charged to a quick- fire 41 from 43 balls. Both he and Semple communicated well and rotated the strike consistently as they were the beneficiaries of some good luck and some poor Cayman fielding. Both were dropped early in their innings and a total of 5 catches were put down throughout the innings.

After the fall of Hooper and Semple, however, the Guyanese batting fell away badly as they eventually laboured to a score of 224 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs. The Caymnans must have been pleased with their bowling as they restricted one of the better batting sides in the tournament. Off-spinner and former Jamaican bowler, larry Cunningham, was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 4 for 31 from 7 overs.

In reply, the debutants started well and were at one point 50 for 2 from some 14 overs. After some light showers, the score was revised and the Caymans were to chase 215 from 46 overs. The openers seemed to cope satisfactorily against the pace twins of Colin Stuart and Reon King. However after Christopher Wight (one of four Wight brothers who made their regional debut on Wednesday) was dismissed for 23 and Larry Cunningham for 22, the Caymans folded inwards and collapsed for a mere 75 for 9 from just 29.5 overs. Charles Greaves was unable to bat as he injured his leg earlier in the day whilst diving to stop a ball at mid-off. West Indian leg-spinner, Mahendra Nagamootoo was the leading wicket taker with his career best regional one-day figures of 5 for 13 from his full ten overs.

It was a convincing victory for the Guyanese as they hope to storm to the next round in Jamaica later this month and once again stake their claim as 'regional beaters'. With Carl Hooper back in the fold Guyana definitely have the resources to produce a winning streak. Hooper seems refreshed and there definitely appears to be a renewed spirit within himself as after the match he was openly speaking to many cricket fans with his wife and his young son, Carl Junior who himself seemed to be very pleased with his fathers success.

© The Anguillian