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Ravichandran Ashwin picked up his 32nd five-wicket haul (Photo: Getty Images)

For a large part of the first half of the Day Two, Australia threatened to get in excess of that because of an unflustered, fluent partnership. Green, who started the day on 49, was fluent throughout even as India attempted to keep things tight on a flat pitch.

He managed to cash in whenever India erred in their lengths, picking up 18 boundaries in total, en route to a maiden Test century.

At the other end, Khawaja did little to change his methods and continued to bat serenely, barely showing discomfort against any bowler. The duo had batted through the first session of the day unscathed, and stayed together for 378 balls in total to grind India down.

It helped Australia when Green partnered Khawaja earlier in the day. India’s ploy to bowl dry was kept up at one end right through but Umesh Yadav’s profligacy proved to be a deterrent to their overall strategy.

Despite his waywardness, Rohit Sharma persisted with Umesh over a six-over spell that ended up going for 37 runs in the session, adding the punch to Australia’s solidity.

Green was the beneficiary of many of these freebies and he accepted them with glee. Their 177-run stand left India searching for answers as Australia’s grind was near perfect once again.

However, just as Green was about to up the ante in the second session, starting off with well-timed drives, he fell gloving a sweep against Ashwin which was caught well by KS Bharat down the leg-side.

Ashwin topped up that breakthrough by dismissing Alex Carey for the fifth time in the series. With a tossed up ball, he lured Carey to play a big shot and had him caught at short third man for a duck.

The inspired spell continued as he had Mitchell Starc caught at short leg with one sliding on. In the space of five overs, Australia lost three for nine to stymie a lot of the good work that had been done earlier.

But despite the slip-ups at the other end, Khawaja went about unfazed in occupying the crease and became the first overseas batter in 13 years to bat 400 balls in an innings in India. His dismissal eventually came soon after Tea when Axar Patel managed to get past a shot that had been largely productive, the flick, and had him LBW on 180.

Khawaja’s departure could have signaled a quick end, but India were made to toil for their wickets again with Nathan Lyon putting on 70 with Todd Murphy.

It was only with the third new ball that the end came swiftly as Ashwin had one sliding on from round the wicket to get Murphy LBW and then had Lyon nicking a similar one to slip to bowl Australia out and finishing with a six-wicket haul.

India’s openers saw off the remaining 10 overs without much problem to give the hosts a confident end after a fighting day’s play. (cricbuzz)

 

more than 40 residents from Regions Five and Six were allocated land and housing units following an outreach last week by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Residents meeting with officers from the Central Housing and Planning Authority

This batch of residents who benefitted from Wednesday’s exercise included low-income earners who were able to affix their names on their lands as a symbol of ownership. This means they can now move ahead with construction.

“The majority were accompanied by family members and close friends, as they stated that the activity represented a major milestone,” the agency highlighted.

Tracy Jarvis, a beneficiary, said “Getting this plot of land means a lot to me because I don’t have to think about rent anymore.”

Jarvis is currently a renter and said that renting has been strenuous. As such being able to now move forward with construction lifts a major burden off her shoulders.

Meanwhile, Marlon Semple, a father of two, said he is pleased to be a part of the process. He said the land is a “great start” for his family and he plans to construct his home as soon as possible.

The identification process is being done in phases and other allottees can expect to be called for a similar exercise in the following weeks.

The release further said that the construction of culverts, access roads, and drainage networks are all a part of the area’s first phase of infrastructure works.

Monday’s gruesome accident on the Greenwich Park Public Road, East Bank Essequibo, was charged on Thursday with four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The accident occurred at about 09:30 hrs on March 6, 2023, and involved the lorry (GZZ 2285) driven by Stewart and a minibus (BWW 8364), driven by 50-year-old Vernon Prowell, of Bent Street, Wortmanville, who died in the crash.

Three minibus passengers also died: Margaret Kennedy, 72, of Tuschen; Olga Reddy, 57, of Parika; and Elvis Charles, 40, of Ruby, East Bank Essequibo.

The mangled vehicles following the accident

The truck driver from Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was also charged with driving an uninsured and an uncertified vehicle.

Police Headquarters reported that he appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepersaud at Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where he was not required to plead to the first four charges of causing the death of the passengers; he was remanded to prison.

However, bail was granted in the sum of $20,000 for the summary charges. The matter was adjourned to March 27, 2023, for report.

Police had reported that the truck was speeding east along the northern side of the road while approaching a pedestrian crossing and the minibus was heading in the opposite direction.

The truck driver claimed that a car in front of him made a sudden stop at the pedestrian crossing and so he applied brakes and swerved to avoid a collision. As a result, the truck crashed into the minibus.

Left-arm spinner Nigel Deodat was superb with the ball for Berbice (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 9, 2023)

Essequibo’s batsmen also got starts and failed to progress as Ronaldo Renee top-scored with 38 followed by Sampson with 35 while Adams made 23.

Supporting Deodat at the other end was Hetmyer (1-14), Suresh Dhanai (1-20), Keyon Sinclair (1-23), and Gaurav Ramesh (1-50).

The lads from the Cinderella County currently hold a 62-run lead heading into the second day’s play scheduled to commence at 09:30h.

One of the women attending the ‘Celebratory Dinner’ at State House embraces President Dr Irfaan Ali (Photo: Office of the Presidnet/March 08, 2023)

In the healthcare system, he said, 60 per cent of Guyana’s doctors are women and 98 per cent of nurses are also women.

In the judicial system, Dr. Ali said 60 per cent of those who administer justice are women.

“No other country in the region can come close to these numbers,” the Guyanese Head of State declared at an event hosted at State House on Wednesday night to commemorate International Women’s Day 2023.

Still, there were some areas where female participation was lower.

For example, the President said 22 per cent of Guyana’s law enforcement officers are women. And in the government’s new shade house agriculture venture, women participation accounted for about 40 per cent.

Altogether, the President believes that greater efforts are needed to challenge the barriers that have long constrained women’s inclusion. And he highlighted that those much-needed efforts are underway.

“We are making a specific effort to have women engaged,” he said, noting that training in all sectors is among the government’s plans to push women participation.

It is, for this reason, he announced that the government will be training 500 women in heavy-duty machine operations.  More women are set to receive skills in the health, agriculture and business sectors.

Beyond the newer efforts, 72.6 per cent of the students participating in the government’s new Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme are women.

The Head of State also noted that 70 per cent of the students at the University of Guyana (UG) are women, with those students having an extremely low withdrawal rate (only 0.4 per cent).

Special empowerment grants have been disbursed to help stimulate business activities among women.

Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, Aleema Nasir, at Wednesday’s event, lauded the government’s efforts to foster greater women inclusion.

She, however, said there are key issues that should be addressed.

According to her, affordable access to reliable internet is needed to supplement online scholarships. Healthcare and social support is also crucial.

Nasir also emphasised that women must get equal pay in the workforce.

“The habit, in some businesses, of offering less because the position is held by women, should be curtailed,” she said

The National Festival Finals will be held on 10 March at the Police Sports Club Ground in Georgetown from 9:30 am to 12 noon with the official closing ceremony and awards presentation following the conclusion of the matches.

One of the winning teams

In the event of inclement weather, the matches and awards ceremony will be moved to the National Gymnasium in Georgetown at the same time.

After completing the zonal preliminary matches, the three teams consisting of three boys and two girls, qualified out of their zones to compete in the Republic Bank Five For Fun County Finals.

These were hosted at the Imam Bacchus Sports Club, Essequibo on 27 February; at the National Gymnasium, Demerara on 3 March; and at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground, Berbice on 6 March.

The Republic Bank Five for Fun is the new and exciting cricket format designed to grow interest and participation in cricket for future generations of children, which is part of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Future Stars Programme and the Republic Bank Power to Make A Difference programme.

Republic Bank and CWI partnered to create this unique 5-over, 5-player format of the game to drive participation amongst school age children.

Boys and girls play together in mixed teams in a format designed around the principles of fun, inclusion and equality.

The ‘fun’ elements of the game are rooted in its speed, energy, and uncomplicated rules.

Republic Bank leverages its group-wide “Power to Make a Difference” programme to grow and support Five for Fun.

CWI leverages their extensive coaching and school’s development infrastructure in partnership with the local Territorial Boards and Five For Fun is the starting point of the CWI Future Stars programme which is the home of the cricket pathway from grassroots to international level.

Jonelle Dummett, Manager, Marketing & Communications of Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. said, “Cricket is an important part of Caribbean culture and Republic Bank is committed to supporting this much-loved pastime as we understand its value across the region.

Republic Bank’s Five For Fun is another of our meaningful investments in this great sport that we love, and moreso, this new format that involves girls and boys at the Primary School level, will help to hone talent and ensure the continuity of the sport.

The dedication exhibited by players, coaches, teachers, organizers while having fun in a safe environment with the opportunity to develop life skills is the true power of the spirit of Caribbean cricket.

Republic Bank will continue playing its role as we seek to positively impact the sport and those involved.”

Deleep Singh, Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Executive Member of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) said, “The foundation of all cricket starts at the primary school level, and coming out of a difficult period of almost two years with no extracurricular activity or sports interaction among children, this collaborative cricket initiative is timely and essential to restart and rebuild the base of the cricket development pathway in Guyana.”

He added,  “This collaboration between Republic Bank Limited, CWI, GCB and the Government of Guyana, has passed participation and cricket volume expectations, with 75 schools participating in over 390 matches. This is significant and promising for rebuilding participation numbers in cricket and for the identification of emerging talent, both boys and girls, in a manner that is strategic and progressive. The programme is simple and fun, and gives our children the opportunity to play freely, learn, and build a love for the game.”

Former Guyana and West Indies batter Assad Fudadin is one of the coaches who has been involved in the Republic Bank Five For Fun initiative.

He said, “This programme is truly a gamechanger because it is fast paced, fun, engaging, and the format is very relevant to our time. From my experience coaching in the programme, the kids truly love the short game format, and I can see it allowing them time to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors, their community and promoting family involvement which is important.”

The Republic Bank Five For Fun Cricket Programme in Guyana is a partnership between Republic Bank Limited and CWI, in collaboration with the GCB, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. (CWI)

Republic Bank Five for Fun County Final Results:

Essequibo

Five for Fun Champions: St. Lawrence Primary (East Bank Essequibo)

Second: Maryville Primary (Leguan Island)

Third: Maria’s Pleasure Primary (Wakenaam Island)

Fourth: Fisher Primary (South Essequibo Coast)

Fifth: 8th of May Primary (North Essequibo Coast)

Demerara

Republic Bank Five for Fun Champions: Enterprise Primary (East Coast Demerara)

Second: Uitvlugt Primary School (West Demerara)

Third: Mackenzie Primary (Upper Demerara)

Fourth: Timehri Primary (East Bank Demerara)

Fifth: St Pius Primary (Georgetown)

Berbice

Republic Bank Five for Fun Champions: All Saints Primary (New Amsterdam)

Second: Sheet Anchor Primary (Canje)

Third: Place – Rose Hall Primary (Lower Corentyne)

Fourth: Place – Rosignol Primary (West Bank Berbice)

Fifth: Number 51 Primary (Upper Corentyne)