|
|
Quarter Finals Of The Mini World Cup Knockout 2000
By Sham Samaroo
A year ago in the Quarter final of the MINI WORLD CUP 1999 at Smokey Park, Belair again rained on PDC parade. Dismissing PDC for 106, openers Tony Ramcharan and Ranji Mohabir soaked their opponents with a delightful array of strokes that saw Belair sail to victory. However, this time around, a determined PDC, led by the enigmatic Sunil Dhautal made light work of Waves to set up the long awaited showdown with Untouchables.
Again in 1999 in a "mud war" at Cunningham Park, Untouchables got past an ambitious Sunrise only to succumb to an inspired Belair led by Captain and Vice Captain, Brooks Prashad and Tony Ramcharan. This season Belair did not field a team but several of its key players are representing the Untouchables. Given the history of the Belair/PDC/Untouchables rivalry this should make for a most entertaining semi final. That most of the players are from the West Coast in Guyana, Star Boy has billed this the cricket version of the Subway Series. Or perhaps - more affectionately - as the Vreed-en-Hoop, or better yet, the Demerara Floating Bridge Series.
Meanwhile in the top half of the draw, history repeats itself as Assassins take on Essequibo in a rematch of their unforgettable 1999 semi final. There is some unfinished business between these two clubs after Essequibo took top honors in the 30 Overs competition this season defeating Assassins in a closely fought semi final. But the return of the brilliant Ravi Persaud to the Assassins line up must make them the favorites to repeat as Champions. Essequibo, however, should not be discounted after their splendid victory over Unpredictable.
Top Players
In the Mini World Cup last season there was only one centurion - Suresh Persaud of Unpredictable. Persaud scored a superb hundred to power his team past 25 over Champions Blazers. This season we already have two centurions - Deodat Persaud of United and David Fingal of Ace Auto. Fingal, in many ways remind us of Michael Johnson. He is a quiet, unassuming young man with enormous talent. Last Sunday he single - handedly steered Ace Auto to an unassailable 186 over Long Beach. Interestingly, there has not been a single centurion from Division I this season. Star Boy Asks: "Whazzuup" Sarfraz; Brooks; Prince; Ravi Persaud; Rishi; Eon; Panday; Leacock; Berr ?
Division II Competition
In Division II, defending champions Cheddi Jagan were eliminated in the Preliminary Round ensuring that there will be a new Champion in the Division this season. In fact, all of the semi finalists this year are here for the first time. Last season, Long Beach earned a place in their first semi final when they defeated Legends at 183rd. This time around, after thrashing United in the Preliminaries, they fell to Ace Auto. Port Mourant Youth once again bowed out in the Quarter finals - once again to Eagles. At Smokey, Atomics defeated Blazers to move one step closer to that all elusive title.
Comparison 1999 and 2000 Quarterfinals
| 1999
|
2000
|
Division I
|
Belair Defeated PDC
Untouchables Defeated Sunrise
Assassins Defeated Unpredictable
Essequibo Defeated Everest
|
Essequibo Defeated Unpredictable
Assassins Defeated Nirvana
PDC Defeated Waves
Untouchables Defeated Bombers
|
Division II
|
Ez Printing Defeated Wildfire
Long Beach Defeated Legends
Wakefield Defeated P/Morant
C/Jagan Defeated Buccaneers
|
Ace Defeated Long Beach
Eagles Defeated Pm Youth
Country Boys/United (Abandoned)
Atomics Defeated Blazers
|
|
