Berbice in solid position

U-19 Inter County Competition

-after President’s XI collapses

Berbice ended the opening day of the Guyana Cricket Board’s three-day Under-19 Inter County Competition in a commanding position against the President’s XI yesterday, at the Enmore Community Development Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.

When the final ball was bowled, Berbice was well-placed at 98-2 still trailing by 40 runs for first innings points, with Shimron Hetmyer and Ashkay Homraj unbeaten on 68 and 16 respectively.

Hetmyer known for his aggression, has stroked 10 fours and a six so far and his partner, Homraj has already reached the boundary twice in his short stay at the crease.

Earlier in the day, after being sent into bat, the President’s XI crashed to 138 all out in 71.4 overs after being 100-3 at one stage. President’s XI lost Ryan Shun (10) early when fast bowler, Nial Smith breached his defence with the score on 16. However, his opening partner Sunil Singh was joined by Avishkar Sewkarran and the pair added 46 runs for the second wicket before Sewkarran was removed.

20140502cricket 3Berbice picked up the wicket of Singh before the lunch interval to complete a good first session with the President’s XI innings on 69-3 from 29 overs. After the break, Ramlakhan and captain of the President’s XI, Travis Persaud added another 31 runs before the fourth wicket; that of Ramlakhan for 15, fell.

Berbice’s Viendra Gooniah, bowling his leg spin, and his skipper and off spinner, Sharaz Ramcharran combined to deliver a destructive spell of spin bowling to claim another three quick wickets for 20 runs as the President’s XI slipped from 100-4 to 120-7. Persaud was one of the three batsmen to fall during that period for 31 as he was caught in his attempt to clear mid-on.

Ramcharran was the pick of the bowlers for Berbice as he ended with figures of 4-10 from 13 overs while Asif Chan and Gooniah supported with two wickets each.

At Demerara Cricket Club Ground, Essequibo is trailing Demerara by 318 with nine wickets in hand at the end of the first day’s play.

Demerara was bowled out for 341 in 85.4 overs after being asked to take first strike, Brian Sattaur (62), Keon Morris 59 not out and Rudolph Singh (54) were the principal scorers. Steven Sankar and Kemol Savoury also batted well to score 44 runs each to propel Demerara to a good first innings total. Bowling for Essequibo Kemol Paul and Akili Adams were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each while Ricardo Peters provided support with figures of 2-43.

In reply Essequibo was 23-1 at the end of the day’s play after losing Abhilaash Persaud for 14 off Kevin Paul’s bowling.