Berbice poised for victory going into final day

A double century partnership between former West Indies player Narsingh Deonarine and Guyana middle-order batsman Homchand Pooran put Berbice within sight of a come-from-behind outright win over the Rest Team at the end of the penultimate day’s play of their four day Guyana Cricket Board sponsored Inter-County competition at the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown yesterday.

Sauid Drepaul defends on the front foot in his futile half century at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground yesterday. (Orlando Charles photo)

Deonarine, who made 145 and Pooran who slammed 88 added 212 runs for the third wicket before Berbice were eventually dismissed for 437 in 95.3 overs.

Set an imposing target of 416 for victory, the Rest Team, which had taken first innings points, slipped to 223-8 in their second innings before the umpires offered them the light option which they happily accepted.

Earlier Berbice resumed on their overnight score of 290-3 with Deonarine on 101 and Pooran on 47 went for quick runs in an effort to make an early declaration.

Deonarine eventually fell five runs short of the 150 landmark while Pooran missed out on three figures when he was dismissed 12 runs short.

Pooran’s rock-like innings which included just four boundaries was the perfect foil for Deonarine who seems hungry to get back into the West Indies mix.

When the breakthrough finally came and the tail was exposed, Esaun Crandon (20) and Ranga Latchana (17) put up stout resistance before the final wicket fell.

Stephen Latcha finished with 4 – 79 from 25 overs, Dion Ferrier, 3-44, Sauid Drepaul, 2-125 and Trevon Griffith 1 – 10.

In the Rest Team’s chase, openers Griffith (14) and Ryan Ramdass (22) fell cheaply while Vishal Singh tried to stabilize the innings with a well-played half century.

Both Alex Amsterdam and Derwin Christian were removed without scoring while Ferrier (04) was quickly dismissed by Devendra Bishoo who ended with four wickets. Singh batted for 186 minutes striking eight fours and two sixes before he was dismissed by Bishoo.

Two belligerent innings from Drepaul (50) and Royan Fredericks (48) got the Rest Team past the 200-run mark but they lost their focus and fell in the final two overs of the day.

Bishoo was the pick of the bowlers with 4 – 52 while Deonarine chipped in with 2 – 30. Brandon Bess and Verasammy Premaul were the other wicket takers for 24 and 40 runs respectively.