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President Dr. Irfaan Ali tours the hospital’s histopathology laboratory (Photo: Delano Williams/ March 18, 2023)

Speaking at the launching ceremony held at the hospital on Saturday, Dr. Singh said the hospital’s integration of newer technologies helps to bring modern services, akin to those offered in developed nations, to Guyana.

“It will revolutionise the way we approach diagnostics and testing,” she said.

For context, a histopathology laboratory offers numerous services including assessments of the heart, chest pains and other internal concerns. Dr. Singh said it can improve cancer diagnosis and care, too.

Meanwhile, a 128-slice CT scanner allows healthcare professionals to get better quality, three-dimensional (3D) images of a patient as compared to the average CT scanner.

And according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, such investments in much-needed, specialised medical services are helping to position Guyana “ahead of the game”.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali joined officials from the hospital to unveil the new complex housing the histopathology laboratory and the 128-slice CT scanner (Photo: Delano Williams/ March 18, 2023)

These investments, according to the Head of State, are a result of a carefully-crafted plan of his government to stimulate investments in private healthcare locally.

That plan includes tax-breaks and other incentives for investments in healthcare, the modernisation of laws governing the field and training large tranches of healthcare workers to satisfy local needs and demands.

And he highlighted that private companies, like the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital, are responsive to the policy direction and emphasis placed on improving local healthcare. Such investments, Dr. Ali posited, will complement public sector investments and attract foreign attention.

“We made it very clear that the public healthcare system must support the private sector… (and) the private healthcare must be able to deliver specialised care.

“When we get to this level of healthcare, we are no longer saying healthcare for Guyanese, it must attract international traffic,” the President emphasised.

Click here to read more on the Inter-County.

Shai Hope. And he wasn’t talking about himself.

“Temba Bavuma – an innings like that deserves to be a victorious innings but it just so happened that we came out on top at the end. I must give him credit for the way he controlled the innings. He played the situation well and he really deserved to win the game but there can only be one winner,” Hope said after West Indies successfully defended 335 runs – their highest score against South Africa – in East London.

Bavuma slammed a career-best 144, exactly a week after his Test best of 172 last and less than two months after he hit a series-winning 109 in South Africa’s World Cup Super League victory over England in Bloemfontein.

He is a player transformed from the one who struggled to score runs during South Africa’s season-opening white-ball tour of India, where he made 11 runs in four innings, and the leader who oversaw their T20I World Cup campaign, which ended in defeat to the Netherlands. Bavuma attributes the change to the simple truth of having more fun.

The hundred was Temba Bavuma’s third across formats in 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)

“I’m enjoying my cricket at this point in time,” Bavuma said. “My mind is just a lot clearer as to what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to do that; feeding off the confidence that I am getting from the players as well as the new coaches.”

After his 172 in the Wanderers Test, Bavuma said he felt more backed by red-ball coach Shukri Conrad than he had since he was under the wing of his domestic coach at the Lions, Enoch Nkwe (who also served as South Africa’s interim coach for a trip to India in 2019) and that’s despite being captain in two formats in the interim.

In May 2021, Bavuma was put in charge of South Africa’s white-ball sides, albeit with only six ODI and eight T20I caps to his name. While 50-over cricket is clearly his forte, the shortest format proved to be tricky, particularly from a strike-rate perspective and since being relieved of that role, and put in charge of the Test team while keeping the 50-over gig, Bavuma has flourished.

His recent innings have shown us a batter who is strong on the sweep and the slog, who has opened up scoring areas both in front of and behind square and who is able to rotate strike well. While it may look like a revelation to those looking in from the outside, for Bavuma, it’s merely a demonstration of “what was always there,” that is now coming through.

“It’s just a confidence thing. Confidence is a big thing for any sportsman,” he said. “I am just trying to carry on the form and the momentum I got in the England series. I am hitting the ball quite nicely. I am managing to find gaps, which is a big thing for me as a stroke player. I can only hope that lasts.”

Despite his best efforts on Saturday evening, South Africa fell 48 runs short of beating West Indies, a side who are after a new start of their own. After losing 16 of the 20 ODIs they played last year, West Indies are all-but-certain to miss out on automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup, and need to start winning.

Shai Hope (File photo)

Victory in South Africa – their first on the road against a team other than Netherlands and Ireland since they beat Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2018 – “means a lot,” as Hope put it.

“It’s something we speak about in the meetings. We are just trying to win more cricket games. We didn’t have a successful 2022 and we are trying everything to turn it around,” he said.

It also marks a successful start for new leadership. Hope is now in charge of the ODI team, with 105 matches under his belt, and a lot on his plate. Though he did not open the batting in this match – as he has done since 2019 – he batted from the 10th over, kept wicket and captained and described the fixture as a “tiring game for me.”

So how will he manage the many roles he has to play in what is a big ODI year for West Indies? “I am definitely going to take it on full speed. It’s about giving my all to the team,” Hope said. “I am getting support from all ends. I have got support from guys off the field and on the field. I’ve got to keep embracing the responsibility and when the time comes to shine, I’ll do so.”

And he intends to apply that in all formats. As the ODI series opener played out, shortly after West Indies’ batting let them down in the Test series, there was some talk about whether players like Hope and former captain Nicholas Pooran should be considered for the red-ball team as well.

On the evidence of the East London ODI, West Indies could do worse, but there’s also some interesting context to Hope’s exclusion.

Like his opposite number Bavuma, Hope only has two Test centuries to his name – and they came in the same match. Hope has not played Test cricket since December 2021. Asked if the longest format is something he’d like to get back to, Hope indicated that hope will win out.

“Something that I always preach in the camp: control what you can control. I can’t control what the selectors do, I can’t control things behind the scenes, all I can control is the way I prep, the way I play and the performance I put in on the field,” he said. “If the chance and the opportunity arises, I will take it with both hands.” (ESPNcricinfo)

 

The moment Anthony Bramble hit the ground

The Berbician immediately dropped to the ground after being hit, lying face down for several minutes before walking off the field with the help of medical staff.

Bramble was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Tevin Imlach subsequently took up duties behind the stumps.

The incident occurred during a fighting last-wicket partnership of 57 between wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo and Justin Manick, which came to an end moments before tea when the latter charged off-spinner Kevin Sinclair and was stumped for 22.

That Red Force got to 268 in pursuit of 412 was largely due to the last two wickets adding 94 runs after Harpy Eagles had restricted them to 174-8 by lunch.

Jangoo and Uthman Mohammad (25) added 37 for the ninth wicket, before the last wicket delayed the inevitable for exactly 15 overs.

While Jangoo ended on 50 not out off 128 balls (5x4s, 1×6), fellow left-hander Darren Bravo missed on out on a 15^th First-Class hundred, being dismissed by left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul for 95 off 170 balls (11x4s).

Bowling for Harpy Eagles, Permaul took 3-58 off 32 overs, Beaton 2-53 off 17 and Keemo Paul 2-73 off 18.

Summarised scores of the other two matches:

At Providence: Windward Volcanoes 217 all out from 60.3 overs (Alick Athanaze 81, Justin Greaves 50, Tevyn Walcott 22; Derval Green 5-30, Nicholson Gordon 2-26, Jamie Merchant 2-39) and 298 all out from 78.5 overs (Alick Athanaze 97, Kavem Hodge 82, Larry Edward 23*, Sunil Ambris 23; Patrick Harty 3-62, Marquino Mindley 2-44, Gordon 2-59) vs Jamaica Scorpions 101 from 28.3 overs (Derval Green 33, Jamie Merchant 24; Justin Greaves 6-34, Shermon Lewis 2-29, Ryan John 2-38) and 233 all out from 99.1 overs (Aldane Thomas 55, Abhijai Mansingh 50, Derval Green 48; Shermon Lewis 5-22, Justin Greaves 2-42, Larry Edwards 2-65). Volcanoes won by 181 runs

At Queen’s Park Oval: Barbados Pride 322 all out from 91.5 overs (Shane Dowrich 124*, Chaim Holder 43, Kevin Wickham 41, Zachary McCaskie 26; Rahkeem Cornwall 6-50, Sheeno Berridge 2-39) and 78 all out from 23.2 overs (McCaskie 29, Sheyne Moseley 27; Cornwall 5-19, Devon Thomas 5-22) vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes 154 all out from 42 overs (Jahmar Hamilton 30, Colin Archibald 24, Jeremiah Louis 24; Dominic Drakes 3-38, Holder 2-7, Jair McAlister 2-36) and 247-8 from 49.2 overs (Kieran Powell 104, Jahmar Hamilton 55; Chaim Holder 3-38, Jair McAllister 2-47, Camarie Boyce 2-59). Hurricanes won by two wickets

REMAINING MATCH SCHEDULE

GNS– Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

BLCA- Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

QPO– Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad

CCG– Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua

ROUND 4: March 22 to 25

Guyana Harpy Eagles vs Jamaica Scorpions at GNS

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs Barbados Pride at QPO

Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA

ROUND 5: March 29 to April 1

Guyana Harpy Eagles vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at GNS

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs Jamaica Scorpions at BLCA

Barbados Pride vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at QPO

Headley Weekes Tri-Series

All matches to be played at CCG, Antigua

Match 1: April 19 to 22: Team Headley vs West Indies Academy

Match 2: April 26 to 29: Team Weekes vs West Indies Academy

Match 3: May 3 to 6: Team Weekes vs Team Headley

From left: Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Priscilla Greaves, Natalie Cummings and Thuraia Thomas. Absent is Jasmine Billingy

The female team, comprising Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Priscilla Greaves, Thuraia Thomas and Jasmine Billingy, also joined their male compatriots by qualifying for the CAC Games in San Salvadore in June this year.

This was the first of a few objectives of Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) for this packed month of table tennis on local shores.

“This was the ultimate goal, qualifying for these games. The focus now is on placement for the remainder of this tournament. The performance is a good precursor in preparation of the Senior Caribbean tournament and other engagements for the teams.”

The qualifier will conclude on Sunday (March 19) with the semi-finals and finals beginning at 16:00h. The tournament is streamed on the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of the GTTA from 10:00h.

The CAC Qualifier aside, Guyana will host the Senior Caribbean Championship from March 20 to 26 and the Caribbean Youth and Cadet Championship from March 27 to April 1.

Israeli Ambassador Itai Bardov with GENEQUIP’s Managing Director, Renger van Dijk (Photo: GENEQUIP/ March 16, 2023)

van Dijk noted that GENEQUIP has been in existence for over three decades and has been the leading distributor of machinery and equipment in the agriculture, forestry, mining, construction, power generation, material handling, warehousing, marine, offshore and transportation services. He said that the company is always looking for ways to make these industries more efficient with finding best of class machinery and equipment for the farmers, contractors, marine workers and transportation service providers.

H.E. Ambassador, Itai Bardov, said that the GENEQUIP office is a state-of-the-art facility that is well-managed and that Israel’s expertise in these industries can further develop and enhance the office and the industries it supports.

GENEQUIP’s expertise includes sales, rentals and aftersales service, but is mainly recognized for its personalized assistance to it its customers’ projects or businesses even in the most remote areas in the country.
The company also has an ongoing partnership with various technical institutions and a modern training facility for its Technicians and staff.

 

Click to view full scoreboard 

With a huge score in front of them, the hosts actually made a terrific start to the chase with Quinton de Kock going berserk in the Powerplay. He hammered three sixes and a couple of fours off Alzarri Joseph in the space of two overs to send him out of the attack as South Africa raced to 67 inside eight overs.

The hundred was Temba Bavuma’s third across formats in 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)

De Kock, who had already made 48 by then, was stopped by a Kyle Mayers leg-cutter. Bavuma then took charge and slammed the same bowler for a four and a six to bring up fifty as the hosts continued to remain in control.

Debutants Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi showed promise and built useful partnerships alongside Bavuma with the skipper fetching regular boundaries at the other end. At one stage, South Africa were coasting at 183-2 after just 24 overs and were well on course to getting the job done with ease.

But once the two debutants fell, West Indies ran through the middle-order, getting rid of Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs cheaply, leaving Bavuma with a lot to do in the second half.

Bavuma brought up his century soon after and Marco Jansen made a promising start to his innings by fetching a couple of quick boundaries. But Akeal Hosein inflicted a double blow as Jansen and Bjorn Fortuin were dismissed in the same over to leave South Africa seven down.

From thereon, South Africa needed something special. And at one stage, it did look like they might end up doing that as Bavuma switched on the gears to take on the visitors. From 102 off 94, Bavuma moved to 144 off just 117 balls.

Yannic Cariah was taken to the cleaners by the skipper as he smashed him for three sixes in a single over that gave South Africa hope again. In the final 10 overs, South Africa needed only 54, but Alzarri prized out Bavuma to dash South Africa’s hopes and deliver his side a huge win.

Shai Hope (File photo)

Earlier in the day, West Indies made a watchful start in the opening three overs before Brandon King got the visitors going with successive boundaries. Mayers went one step ahead and took on Jansen for two fours and a six in a single over as West Indies made a bright start.

Gerald Coetzee then conceded 18 runs in his first over with Mayers putting on a show. The left-hander was stopped with a very ordinary delivery by Fortuin as the batter found the fielder at deep midwicket.

South Africa then made the most of the opening by fetching two more quick wickets to take control of the contest again.

But the see-saw battle saw West Indies gain the upper hand again in the match after Hope eased into his new middle order role by stitching two valuable partnerships – one with Nicholas Pooran and the other with Rovman Powell.

While both Pooran and Powell turned on the heat, they couldn’t make their starts count. South Africa did manage to strike regularly at the death but Hope stood tall and managed to consistently clear the ropes to help West Indies post 335 on the board.

For a player who had always gained a reputation for being an anchor, Hope smashed seven sixes in his innings, a feat that was matched by Bavuma later in the night to no avail. (cricbuzz)