An explosive ton from national opener Royston Crandon guided Mahendra Nagamootoo’s XI to a 33-run victory over Esaun Crandon’s XI when the first of three limited overs trial matches was played at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Being asked to take first strike, Nagamootoo’s XI scored 256-9 from their 45 overs, with Crandon who featured in an 87-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Assad Fudadin (40) and a further 60 runs for the sixth wicket with Derwin Christian (15), scoring 113 from 98 balls with seven fours and one six, before he was dismissed by Veerasammy Permaul (1-35).
Bowling for Esaun Crandon’s XI, former national under-19 captain Steven Jacobs grabbed 4-27 and received support from national fast bowler Trevon Garraway who rocked the top order whilst claiming 3-37.
When Crandon’s XI began their reply, they received a solid start from openers Shemroy Barrington who continued his terrific form to date in compiling 64 (5×4; 1×6) and Maxie De Jonge (38; 3×4) who posted 105 for the first wicket from 23.3 overs.

Jacobs returned to score an unbeaten 55 which was decorated with four fours and one six struck off Christopher Barnwell and even though he shared an 82 runs third-wicket partnership from 14 overs with Devon Clements (45), Esaun Crandon’s XI were still short by 33 runs when their overs expired.
The second of three trial matches which is being used to select Guyana’s team for the upcoming WICB President’s trophy competition that is set to commence next week Thursday right here in Guyana, will be played today at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary.