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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 14, 2017
Williamson rested for final two ODIs (CMC) – Captain Kane Williamson will be rested for the last two OneDay Internationals against West Indies, while George Worker will replace the injured Martin Guptill at the top of the order, for the three-match series starting next Wednesday. Cricket New Zealand said Williamson would play the opening game in Whangarei before giving way to Tom Latham who will then lead the squad in the final matches in Christchurch. Seamer Tim Southee will also be rested for the last two matches with Neil Broom and Mitchell Sant-
ner, coming in as replacements for him and Williamson. “It’s a long summer, so for those guys playing in all three formats it’s important we keep them fresh and build depth leading into a World Cup year,” said selector Gavin Larsen. “Tim and Kane will both take breaks during this series, but there will be others who will also rest throughout the season.” Guptill, who has hit 12 centuries in 149 ODIs, is yet to recover from a hamstring injury, and selectors have gone with Worker to partner Colin Munro.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson
The 28-year-old left-handed Worker has played four ODIs, the last coming against Bangladesh
in May earlier this year. “We will miss Martin’s influence at the top of the order, but unfortunately he
is not back to full fitness and this provides a well-earned opportunity for George in the ODI series,” Larsen noted. All-rounder Todd Astle, meanwhile, is set to make his ODI debut as part of the 13-man squad, having already played a couple of Tests and Twenty20 Internationals. Larsen said the 31-yearold had been deserving of his call-up. “Todd with his all-round ability provides a straight swap for Mitchell in the first ODI,” Larsen pointed out. “Todd has been one of the top domestic bowlers in
the country for a number of years now and performed very well during the recent One Day New Zealand A tour to India. “He was unlucky to to get injured before the Black Caps tour in India, but he’s continued to bowl well on return and thoroughly deserves this opportunity.” SQUAD – Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker.
Windies drop three ranking points (CMC) – West Indies have taken another blow to their Test ranking, following their 2-0 series defeat to New Zealand. Though the Caribbean side remain eighth in the rankings, they have lost three rankings points and are now alongside ninth-ranked Bangladesh on 72 points. Only mere decimal points have kept the Windies in eighth spot. West Indies’ hopes of making a move up the rankings were scuppered when they went down by an innings and 67 runs to the Black Caps inside four days in the opening Test at Wel-
lington two weeks ago. And their attempt to level the series in Hamilton this week came up short as they lost by 240 runs with a session to spare on the fourth day. The Windies have languished near the bottom of the international rankings in recent years, as their results in the game’s longest form continue to wane. The recent series defeat meant they have now not won a series on New Zealand soil in 22 years and are without a series win over a higher-ranked nation since they swept the Black Caps in the Caribbean five years ago. West Indies beat Zim-
West Indies have fallen three rankings points.
babwe 1-0 in a two-match series in Bulawayo last month but dropped points as the African side are the lowest-ranked Test-playing nation. They have now won just four Tests of their last 20 inside the last two years but three of those have come over the last three months, including victories over then highly-ranked Pakistan and England. With the series win, New Zealand have risen three points but remained fourth, one place ahead of Australia, while India maintain a healthy lead over South Africa at the top.
GSA kicks off Farfan and Mendes juniors THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) kicked off its final junior tournament for 2017 - the annual Farfan and Mendes Junior Skill Level, at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts on Tuesday. There were several new entries this year as well as a few notable absentees, including Shomari Wiltshire who is competing internationally at this time. Categories A-G will be battling from now until Sunday for a spot at the top of their respective groups. Taylor Fernandes, although now a senior, will be
playing in Category A in her continued support of the junior players, to extend their challenges and increase the number of the smallest group in the tournament. The four contenders began their matches on yesterday. Tuesday’s matches saw the girls triumph in category B with Kirsten Gomes beating Demetrius DeAbreu and Abosaide Cadogan defeating Ethan Jonas. Kirsten came out hard in the first game for a close win 11-9. De Abreu answered by taking back the second 11-8 but Kirsten took back the third 11-9 and
went on to storm through 11-5 in the fourth. Cadogan fought hard but couldn’t hold the first game, with Jonas winning 12-10, but then made light work of the following 3 games 11-4, 11-6, 11-5. New talent shone through in the lower categories as some of the young players displayed skilful serves and treated spectators to unexpected rallies. No doubt these categories will develop as the tournament progresses. Matches continue from 18:00hrs each evening, two sessions on Saturday and
the final matches on Sunday. Results of the matches played Tuesday evening were as follows. Category B Abosdaie Cadogan overcame Ethan Jonas 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 Kirsten Gomes defeated Demetrius De Abreu 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 Category C Nicholas Verwey overpowered Zachary Persaud 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 Mohryan Baksh crushed Louis DaSilva 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 James Mekdeci over-
whelmed Jason Gomes 113, 11-7, 11-7 Category D Jahcinta Adams beat Beau Fernandes 11-3, 9-11, 15-13, 9-11, 11-7 Dhiren Persaud beat Isabella Ramjohn 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 Aishani Persuad demolished Teija Edwards 11-2, 11-1, 11-4 Category E Arvin Seelall beat Angel Rahim 11-4, 11-13 Jared Saul defeated Grant Fernandes 11-9, 11-4 Joshua Verwey crushed Noah Rahaman 11-3, 11-2 Rayad Boyce overpow-
ered Lajuan Munroe 11-9, 11-6 Category F Leshaunte Berkley beat Jehan Singh 11-9, 11-8 Brenno DaSilva smashed Rylee Rodrigues 11-6, 11-0 Matthew Spooner overcame Tiana Gomes 10-12, 11-5, 12-10 Kayden Pynaendy beat Thandi Dean 11-8, 11-7 Category G Safirah Summer beat Nicholas Sawh 11-7, 11-8 Jnae Singh whipped Mya Dean 11-6, 11-8 Shriya Persaud crushed Alea Ruplal 11-5, 11-3.