U19s no match for Demerara

They might be regional limited overs and three day champions but when it comes to playing with the big boys that is another matter altogether as the national U19 squad found out in their senior Inter County one-day game against joint defending champions Demerara.

Playing in their final preliminary round game of the Guyana Cricket Board tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, the U19s were humbled by Chris Barnwell’s side.

Batting first the U19s were dismissed for 125 and in reply Demerara romped to 127-3 to book their place in Sunday’s final against Berbice.

The U19s were off to the worst possible start losing their West Indies U19 openers Shimron Hetmyer and Tage Chanderpaul for ducks.

 Chris Barnwell smashes one out of the Bourda cricket ground
Chris Barnwell smashes one out of the Bourda cricket ground

Skipper Brian Sattaur (6) and the dangerous Kemo Paul (8) were removed by Demerara skipper Christopher Barnwell while Paul Wintz bowled Ashkay Homraj as he attempted to walk across his stumps for one.

In one fell swoop the U19’s had gone from 7-1 to 28-5 in 7.3 overs.

Wicketkeeper Kemol Savoury however spared his team further blushes by hitting a half century.

His unbeaten innings of 59 held the U19s post a respectable if to defendable total as in-form leg-spinner Raj Nannan snapped up 3-20 from two overs.

The in-form Nannan landed a trifecta of blows removing Damion Waldron, Sankar and Smith for 6, 0 and 6 respectively.

Barnwell, who had Ramcharran caught and bowled for 4, ended with 3-20

while seamer and Vice-Captain Wintz snared 2-21.Seon Daniels and Steven Jacobs each claimed one wicket to help skittle the U19s in 29 overs.

Demerara raced to their target with pugnacious opening batsman Trevon `Bugsy’ Griffith smashing a half century.

The left-handed Griffith cracked seven fours and a six in his top score of 51 while skipper Barnwell returned to score an unbeaten 28 as Demerara romped to 127-3 in 19.3 overs.

Griffith and fellow opener Robin Bacchus (28) were severe on the young bowlers from the first over, mauling the likes of Keon Morris, Niall Smith, Paul and Ramcharran for fours and sixes around the legendary cricket venue.

The two left-handers brought up Demerara’s 50 in 5.3 overs before heading into lunch with the score 78 without loss requiring only 49 more runs for the win.

Opener Trevon Griffith was aggressive as usual during his innings of 51.
Opener Trevon Griffith was aggressive as usual during his innings of 51.

Upon the resumption of play after the lunch interval, Bacchus looking for another vicious pull shot, was caught in the deep mid-wicket boundary by Paul as Morris struck.

Barnwell then walked to the middle to partner his Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) teammate who brought up his 50 with an easy single, but was unfortunately pinned LBW by a good piece of bowling from Waldron.

Shemroy Barrington (5) was foxed by a googly from Sankar but Barnwell stamped his authority with a powerful drive through the covers which raced to the boundary, sealing a comprehensive win for his side.