MATTHEW Nandu started the 2022 Canadian season in fine style with three innings of worth, including a fine century in last weekend’s encounter versus RC 99 in the Mississauga Cricket League (MCL).
Representing Royal Panthers, Nandu slammed a brilliant 110 as his team posted a challenging 295 for six in their allotted 50 overs before limiting their opponents to 130 for nine in 32.2 overs, thus winning by the huge margin of 196 runs.
The former West Indies Under-19 opener, who also led the side earlier this year in the absence of appointed skipper Ackeem Auguste, struck four fours and two sixes in his knock off 125 balls while sharing an opening stand of 119 with Sumit Arora whose 63 from 76 balls included six fours and a six.
In his first game, after returning from Guyana where he represents Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Nandu hit 68 off 62 balls with five fours and three sixes at the Lamoreaux ground as Kaieteur International B reached 347 for nine in 47 overs, batting first in their First Division encounter versus Prime Cricket Club.
Two other players with Guyanese roots, Lincoln Hotiram spanked 85 off 67 balls with eight fours and three sixes while Arjuna Sukhu, who represented Canada in this year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup, was also among the runs with 51 off 41 balls – an innings that contained three fours and an equal number of sixes.
Bowling for Prime Cricket Club, Saad Ur-Rehman claimed four for 39 and Shazil Sulman three for 72.
Prime Cricket Club were routed for a paltry 60 in 19.3 overs with Sukhu returning to pick up four for 10 in six overs and Trevor Jerrick three for 30 in seven.
In the other game, which formed part of the Toronto & District League, the left-handed Nandu hit an undefeated 47 (five fours) as Tranzac cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Ontario Cricket Academy (OCA), who were shut out for 92 in 31.4 overs. Tranzac reached the required target in 29.3 overs. (Frederick Halley)
