Chanderpaul's Guyana Triumphs

Guyana's Red Stripe Bowl campaign, which started in a hail of controversy, ended in triumph on Sunday at the Kaiser Oval with an unlikely hero and a vindicated captain.

All-rounder Lennox Cush, who struggled mightily throughout the tournament, was a match-winner with bat and ball and in the field as Shivnarine Chanderpaul's Guyanese whipped defending champions Barbados by 28-runs with a little help from Messrs. Duckworth and Lewis.

For Chanderpaul, the victory celebrations must have been especially sweet. The left-handed batsman, picked as captain ahead of the popular Ronnie Sarwan, shrugged off the controversy to lead a disciplined Guyana team throughout the tournament. And, it was no different in the finals.

After winning the toss and starting well, Guyana suffered through a middle order collapse until Lennox Cush's clean hitting helped prop up the total of 212 for nine off 50 overs. Cush's 41 was his highest score in the tournament. He got support at the bottom of the order from Neil McGarrell (25).

For Barbados, left-arm pacer Ian Bradshaw was again the star. He grabbed 3-37 from 10 overs with support from Pedro Collins (2-35) as Barbados restricted Guyana to a gettable total.

With Dwayne Smith (29 from 18 balls) and Sherwin Campbell (33 off 48 balls) motoring along, it appeared that Barbados was headed for an easy victory but, after 31 overs, with the score on 120 for six, the rains came and things changed dramatically.

When play resumed, Barbados was asked to chase a revised target of 184 off 37 overs (84 runs from 11 overs) and it all fell apart as the Guyanese smelled victory. Cush was again in the thick of things, grabbing 1-9 and doing spectacular work in the field.

McGarrell (3-45 from 10 overs) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (1-22) were the pick of the bowlers as Barbados crashed to 155 all out.

FINAL SCORES: Guyana 212 for nine off 50 overs (Lennox Cush 41, Ryan Ramdass 37, Neil McGarrell 25, Sewnarine Chattergoon 24; Ian Bradshaw 3-37, Pedro Collins 2-35).

Barbados 155 all out off39 overs (Sherwin Campbell 33, Dwayne Smith 29; Neil McGarrell 3-45, Lennox Cush 1-9, Mahendra Nagamootoo 1-22).

TOURNAMENT AWARDS:
Best Batsman - Ramnaresh Sarwan (202 runs)
Best All-Rounder - Ramnaresh Sarwan (202 runs; 6 wickets)
Best Bowler - Mahendra Nagamootoo (13 wickets)
Best Wicketkeeper - Courtney Browne (12 dismissals).