Inter-county tourney…Bishoo grabs six wickets against President’s XI

-Amir Khan haul gives Demerara edge over Essequibo

Berbice leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo’s six wickets outshone President’s XI skipper Vishal Singh’s half-century, while Amir Khan’s five-wicket haul gave Demerara the edge over Essequibo when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter-County four-day tournament continued yesterday.

Playing at the Everest Cricket ground, Singh, forging a patient 55 off 169 balls with three boundaries, was the backbone of his team’s innings; however the performance of the day was by the former West Indies leg-spinner who was the pick of the bowlers for Berbice, snaring 6 for 57 in 26.4 overs.

Batting first, the President’s XI were bowled out for 185 in 72.4 overs in their first innings. The opening pair of Robin Bacchus (24) and vice-captain Shemroy Barrington (7) failed to capitalize on starts. Bacchus looked ominous, striking three boundaries in his knock before he was removed by fast bowler Raun Johnson, who also got rid of Barrington.

With the two openers back in the shed, former Test batsman Ryan Ramdass and the skipper came to the middle looking to rebuild. The former West Indies opener was later trapped LBW by another ex-West Indies ODI player, Royston Crandon for 24.

At 69 for 3, the rains came and lasted for approximately three hours, stretching through lunch and the tea break. After the umpires concluded their inspection at 2.00 pm, play resumed a half-hour later. Upon resumption of the innings, Dominic Rikhi (9) was the next to go caught LBW by Bishoo.

 Devendra Bishoo
Devendra Bishoo
 Vishal Singh
Vishal Singh

Singh brought up a grinding 50 from 157 balls and the team’s 100 came in 35.5 overs, while the 150 mark came up in the 57th over. But a double strike by Bishoo saw both Singh and all-rounder Romario Shepherd-DeJonge (0) falling in successive balls, as the leg-spinner ended a successful over with a double-wicket maiden.

Bishoo then had wicket-keeper Jason Sinclair (19) pinned LBW by a ‘googly’, followed by the removal of Steven Sankar (2) who hit a delivery straight down the throat of long-off. His sixth wicket came when fast-bowler Kellon Carmichael was bowled for a well-played 15.

Over at the Enmore Community Centre ground, defending champs Demerara were comfortably set on 172 for 4 from 46 overs, compliments of vital knocks from all-rounder Christopher Barnwell (48) not out, Ramnaresh Sarwan (42), skipper Leon Johnson (40) and Rajendra Chandrika (22). Opposition skipper Anthony Adams, Dillon Heyliger and Hemchand Persaud picked up a wicket apiece.

Essequibo resuming on 101 for 3 failed to make a significant score and were bundled out for 198 after lunch on day two, losing their last six wickets for under 80 runs. Amir Khan grabbed 5 for 62 and was supported by off-spinner Zaheer Mohamed who picked up 4 for 46 and fast-bowler Trevon Garraway.

Overnight batsman Heyliger (27) added eleven to his overnight score of 16, while Kemo Paul (19) added 12 to his score of seven. However, Parmesh Parsotam (39) not out and Rovindra Parsaram (28) provided some fight for the Essequibians.

Demerara openers Trevon Griffith (11), Chandrika and Johnson departed before the tea break as Demerara slid to 81 for 3. Johnson struck five boundaries in his score, while the experienced Sarwan hit four boundaries in his before he was run out.

Devendra Bishoo cleans up fast-bowler Kellon Carmichael to claim his sixth wicket
Devendra Bishoo cleans up fast-bowler Kellon Carmichael to claim his sixth wicket

Barnwell, who had already notched up four boundaries and two sixes prior to the close of play, looked ominous and will resume his innings today with Chris Pattadin who is yet to come off the mark. Demerara now trails by 26 runs.