Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), under their Pepsi brand, in collaboration with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), launched this year’s Inter-County 50-over round robin competition on Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
The tournament, which gets underway on September 21, forms part of the preparation for the upcoming regional 50-over competition. It is also being used as a benchmark to select the local squad to participate in the regional competition, slated for January next year.
The three preliminary rounds will be played at the famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) while the final is scheduled for the Albion Community Centre, ground.
Speaking to the media at the launching, GCB President, Drubahadur emphasised the importance of this tournament to Guyana’s preparation for next year’s participation in the tournament.
Further, he stated that this tournament cannot be underestimated, since the best possible team will be selected to represent Guyana. “Over the years the selectors would have used this competition to select our national team and this year will be no exception, so we hope that these games will give the selectors an opportunity to select the best possible team to represent our country,” Drubahadur said.
The GCB president said he is happy with the commitment of DDL and the support for the local tournament.
DDL Pepsi brand executive Larry Wills stated that DDL is once again pleased to partner with the GCB in hosting this year’s tournament.
Wills further disclosed that both Pepsi and DDL have strong ties to cricket around the world. He noted that Pepsi continues to sponsor several grassroots programme which are intended to develop cricket at the local level.
Super bonus points
Meanwhile, this year’s tournament will see teams receiving super bonus points. For every team which scores in excess of 300 runs will receive two super bonus points.
In addition the losing team which scores in excess of 300 runs will be awarded one super bonus point while two super bonus points will be awarded to the team that dismisses their opponents below 150 runs.
Fixtures
Round one of the tournament will see a clash between Essequibo and Demerara. Round two is scheduled for Tuesday September 24, between Demerara and Berbice. The final preliminary round is fixed for Thursday September 26 where Berbice face Essequibo.
The two top teams will clash in the final on September 29.
