RAZAC HELPS “COMPRE” REGISTER VICTORIOUS RETURN

The cricket programme at East Mucurapo Secondary had endured many barren seasons before finally yielding a consistent stream of results from a group of very talented players. This success culminated in the school’s return to the PowerGen SSCL Championship division in 2015. Affectionately known as “Compre” in tribute to their days as a Senior Comprehensive school, East Mucurapo were about to embark on a true test of the mettle of their young, dynamic team as they prepared to do battle against a host of more experienced and accomplished schools in the cricketing fraternity. 

The morning of their 1^st game of the 2015 season could not have started off in a worse manner. Experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Xavier Razac was on his way to the game with his mom when they got into an accident. Xavier was thankfully unhurt but had to go to the hospital with his mom. Whilst the coach and manager accompanied the team to the venue, the assistant manager went to the hospital to look after the distraught young player and Compre made plans to utilize their willing but very green backup keeper. In perhaps a stroke of divine balance, the El Dorado East team ran late due to traffic that morning, leaving enough time for Razac to completely surprise his team by arriving at the ground after being cleared to play by doctors. He told his coaches that his mom was fine and had instructed him to –“Go do your job for your team. Don’t let them down.” – then proceeded to pad up to go opening the batting. His steely determination and will were just the catalyst his team needed.

Xavier led from the front like a man on a mission. His straight and square driving were a sight to behold and he tempered his normal aggressive instincts to guide his younger batting partners through their initial nervous moments. Even as wickets fell at the other end, he continued steadily on, driving and cutting deliveries with confidence and precision to chalk up 6 boundaries. He would also unleash his full power with two mighty blows for six, one of which ended up inside the pavilion. All told, Xavier carried his bat through 45 overs until he was the 8^th wicket to fall. By then he had scored 78 out his team’s total of 207, sharing significant partnerships of 60 for the 2^nd wicket with captain Mickyle Nicholas and 55 for the 7^th with Whade Hypolite. He walked off to a standing ovation from his teammates and coaches but did not rest on his laurels for too long as the Mucurapo innings quickly folded for 215. In short time he was back out on the field ready to keep wickets.

The Compre bowling attack drew inspiration from their wicketkeeper and rose to their task magnificently. Skipper Nicholas, bowling an unbroken 6-over spell, shattered the El Dorado batting line up with figure of 7 for 13, about which a separate article will be written. Xavier would not be content to let only his bat have a say as he ran out the El Do top-scorer with a direct hit to end his resistance. Mucurapo went on to dismiss their opponents for 56 to secure victory by the handsome margin of 159 runs after just 21 overs. From dark beginnings, the day ended in sweet success for Compre as their Championship division return took off in style.