Sewkarran slams century in President’s XI huge total

-But B/ce in trouble against Demerara

Avishkar Sewkarran’s century coupled by half-centuries from Ronaldo Mohamed and Ryan Shun propelled the President’s X1 to a first innings total of 332 on the first day of the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County three-day tournament against Essequibo yesterday.

Over at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Sewkarran racked up a classy 109 decorated with eight fours and six maximums off 147 balls, while Mohamed (75) struck 10 fours and three sixes and Shun (70) provided stability and reinforcement. At stumps, Essequibo were nine without loss, with Ricardo Peters (1) and Avenash Persaud (5). Off-spinner Akil Wallace grabbed 5-96 and Kemo Paul (2-54), while Travis Drakes, Akini Adams and Avenash Persaud chipped in with a wicket apiece for Essequibo. Winning the toss and electing to bat, President’s XI opener Sunil Singh (7) and Nick Ramsaroop (10) were the first to go, removed by seamers Travis Drakes and Paul.

Shun, who was dropped four times, used his extra lives to add 150 runs for the third-wicket with Sewkarran. Travis Persaud (9) and Shivnarine Srikissoon (9) were the other batsmen to fall before the tea interval with the President’s X1 238-6.

Upon resumption of play Vivian Albert (5) was dismissed quickly but the aggressive Mohamed took the President’s X1 to their total.

Rudolph Singh cuts hard through the off-side. (Orlando Charles photo)
Rudolph Singh cuts hard through the off-side. (Orlando Charles photo)

Over at the Bourda cricket ground, play was halted at 12.20hrs for the first session due to a leakage from the second pitch onto the playing one. Upon recommencement of play, Keon Morris (4-42) and Daniel Basdeo (2-15) and two run outs, were instrumental in the 140 all out in 44.1 overs collapse suffered by the Berbicians.

Balchand Basdeo struck four fours in his top score of 27, while century maker from the first round Shimron Hetmyer struck the similar amount of fours in his 24, while Virendra Gooniah chipped in with 22.

Demerara were 70 for 2 at stumps with the unbeaten pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul (18) and Rudolph Singh (1). Berbice, who were at one stage 47 without loss from 8 overs, slipped into the abyss being reduced to 77 for 6 in the 17th over.

David Latchaya (4), Ashkay Homraj (2), Sharaz Ramcharran (14) and Hakeem Hinds (0) were the other highly touted batsmen who failed to get out of the blocks.

Gooniah and Arif Chan (18) consolidated the innings with a 37 –run partnership before Chanderpaul, who showed his talent with his medium pace, removed Gooniah, as the Berbicians were routed at 15:39hrs, minutes after the tea break.

Play will resume today at GCC at 09:30h, while the game at DCC will gets on the way at 9:30hrs.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul looked solid in his unbeaten 18. (Orlando Charles photo)
Tagenarine Chanderpaul looked solid in his unbeaten 18. (Orlando Charles photo)