Opener Kenzo Baksh sparked some fight in Essequibo as the host team reached 226 all out in 74.3 overs on the first day of the final round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter- County four-day competition against the Rest Team XI at the Anna Regina Community Development Centre ground.

Baksh made a patient 64, with five boundaries and was greatly supported by Royston Alkins’ 44 that was decorated with five boundaries and two sixes. Jason Heyliger (31) and Captain Norman Fredericks (30) also made valuable contributions with the bat.

Rest XI’s Deon Ferrier was the pick of the bowlers with 3-17 from 17 overs.

Kellon Carmichael picked up 2-44 from 12 overs.

In the Rest XI reached 48-2 from 13 overs at the close.

Wasim Haslim and Vishal Singh, who missed out on a century in his team’s second round encounter against Demerara, were the not out batsmen on 19 and eight respectively. Former West Indies batsman Ryan Ramdass (5) and Carmichael (3), performing the duties of the night watchman, are the batmen back in the pavilion.

Pacers Trevor Benn and Rensford Beaton have taken one wicket each for Essequibo.