Sport CHRONICLE
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
Johnson, Bobb wreck T&T on opening day (See Story on page 31)
REGIONAL 4DAY
Johnson impresses on debut as Guyana bowl out Barbados for 184 -Chase hits resilient half century
Guyana’s skipper Christopher Barnwell goes airborneBy toCalvin congratulate Narsingh Deonarine, who Roberts had trapped Jonathan Carter lbw before lunch. (Photo by Adrian Narine)
AN IMPRESSIVE spell of bowling from debutant fast bowler Raun Johnson, enabled host Guyana to bowl out Barbados for 184, despite a resilient half- century from Roston Chase, just before the close of play on the first day of their second round West Indies Cricket Board Regional four day contest at the Guyana National Stadium, last night. Johnson took 3 for 38 and received valuable support from left arm orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3 for 33), as Guyana restricted the Barbadians and at the close of play, were 35 without loss in
reply, with Sewnarine Chattergoon on 14 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul 11. The home team won the toss and chose to field first in the inaugural day/night four day match at the venue, and saw Johnson, who had earlier received his cap from Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith, inducing Rashidi Boucher (01) to steer one to Christopher Barnwell at slip at 6 for 1 in the fourth over. He had the opportunity to remove Barbados’ skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (19) in his next over, but the outside edge that was found, made its way between Sewnarine Chat-
See page 28
Windies face tough T20 Two matches set for the #5 ground, title defence, says Gayle West Berbice this evening GFF/Banks Beer National Premier League
TWO matches in the Guyana Football Federation/Banks Beer National Premier League will be played at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice this evening. In the opening game which is scheduled for a 18:00hrs start, New Amsterdam United will come up against Winners Connection, while from 20:00hrs Rosignol United will take on Milerock. New Amsterdam United who are ninth in the points standing will be going into this evening’s game as firm favourites, not just because they have the home advantage and will surely get the support of the Berbice community, but because they have been playing a game better than their opponents who are placed 14th in the points standing. A win for the home side will propel them higher in the standing. To date, New Amsterdam United have played 10 matches and have won four of them while losing five, drawing one which was decided in a penalty shoot-out which they won. The team have scored 20 goals and conceded 16 and have 14 points.. Winners Connection, on the other hand, have played 10 matches. They won two, lost six and drew two which were decided in penalty shoot-outs, but they won only one. They have so far scored 13 goals and conceded 28 and have nine points. For the feature game, Rosignol United who are eight in the points standing will also be looking for a victory and like their Berbice counterparts New Amsterdam United, they will be at home and will welcome the home crowd’s support. To date, they have played 10 matches. They won three, lost four and drew three, all of which they ended up winning in penalty shoot-outs. The team have scored 16 goals, but conceded 25 and are on 15 points. Milerock are currently placed 11th in the points standing after playing 11matches. They won four and lost six, while drawing one which they lost in the penalty shoot-out. They scored 14 goals and conceded 13 and are on 13 points. Heading the points standing are Alpha United with 36 points from 12 victories. They have scored 47 goals to date and conceded a mere five. Second are BK Western Tigers with 28 points from 11 matches. They won nine, lost one and drew one. They scored 23 goals and conceded nine. Buxton United are next with 23 points from 11 matches, seven of which they won. They are followed closely by the Guyana Defence Force with 22 points from 10 matches. To date they have won six, lost one and drawn three, one of which they won in the resulting penalty shoot-out.
West Indies opener Chris Gayle engages in a fielding drill. BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Superstar batsman Chris Gayle believes West Indies have a realistic shot at defending their World Twenty20 title but admits the regional side will face a tough challenge. The big-hitting left-hander was a key member of the side which lifted the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka two years ago, and is expected to be at the forefront again as the side do battle in March 16 to April 6 campaign
Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208
in Bangladesh. “It would be nice if history could repeat itself but it’s going to be tough as the other teams are playing good cricket at this point in time, and they are actually in good form as well,” Gayle told reporters yesterday at Kensington Oval. “It is going to be good to get (out of the first round), that’s always important. We’ll target that first and then look forward to the semis and hopefully the final.” Since winning the T20 World Cup, West Indies have lost five of the 10 T20 Internationals they have played. More significantly, they have lost five of the last six within the last year. The Windies also find themselves in a tough group alongside Australia, India and Pakistan. Gayle said it was therefore important that West Indies use the three-match T20 series against England starting Sunday at the Oval, to find precious momentum ahead of the World Twenty20. “(The series) is important for both teams even though England have been playing a lot of cricket but it’s good for us to try and gain some momentum,”
Gayle pointed out. “We haven’t been doing well in the shorter format recently. We lost a lot of games but hopefully we can build some momentum and we can be dangerous at the T20 World Cup if we get some momentum.” Gayle will be attempting to make a comeback from injury yet again. He was ruled out of the limited over series against India, and the Test and one-day series in New Zealand late last year with a hamstring injury, and his return to action in February was curtailed by a sore back after just one T20 against Ireland. He said he was looking forward to facing the English in the series, which also sees matches scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. “I’m rested for sure. I’ve been out for quite some time now. I came back for the Ireland game and then got injured again and that was unfortunate,” he said. “I just have a bit of a stuffy nose at this point in time but I’ll be fine for Sunday hopefully and I’m looking forward to it. The good thing about it is that I’m back now. Being out for like 13 weeks can be frustrating.”
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014