Fiery fast bowling from Jeremy Gordon (6-35) and a blistering unbeaten 48 from Royston Crandon helped Berbice take control of their Inter-County four-day cricket match against Essequibo at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, yesterday.
Replying to Essequibo’s first innings score of 160 all out, Berbice were 90 without loss at the close.
Essequibo, sent in to bat by Berbice, were dismissed off 68.3 overs in just under 275 minutes of batting with Gordon ripping away the lower order in his second spell from the Crown Street end of the ground.
Seasoned campaigner Ramesh Narine, batted with a resilience not found among his teammates for 38 in 58 minutes with three sixes and three fours as Essequibo slipped from 65-3 at lunch to 160 all out..
Narine received support from Rakesh Goberdhan (34) who was given three chances and who featured in a fourth-wicket partnership of 57 from 7.3 overs with wicket keeper/batsman Wayne Osborne (26).
The two came together with their team tottering on 27 -3 with Yogeshwar Lall (5), the veteran opener Dinesh Joseph (2) and Ryan Fredericks (4) all back in the pavilion as Gordon and skipper Esaun Crandon (2-29) did the early damage.
Berbice began their reply in a rush, with openers Royston Crandon and Maxie De Jonge throwing down the gauntlet to the fired-up pair of Garraway and Thomas.
De Jonge was forced to retire hurt on 20, after being struck on the right instep from a Thomas delivery that kept low, but Crandon in partnership with Fudadin continued to take the fight to the Cinderella County team.
Crandon brought up the 50 with a punishing straight drive off Garraway and then drove the very next delivery through the extra cover region for another four.
When Goberdhan was introduced to apparently slow the scoring rate, Crandon met his first ball with a huge six that went into the yard of former Guyana and West Indies all rounder and coach Roger Harper.
In an invited comment Crandon told Stabroek Sport that he was exceedingly happy with his team’s position.
“Our plan was to restrict them to as small a total as possible and I think that the scorecard indicates that we stuck to that plan well. Kudos to Gordon (Jeremy) on his bowling feat on such a flat wicket and despite our few blunders in the field, I must say that the fielders offered tremendous support to the bowlers. We will be looking to consolidate on the start given by Royston and Fudas (Fudadin) as we strive to reach our other aim in this match which is bat one time and post a huge total” Crandon stated.
Essequibo left out its experienced left arm orthodox spinner Robert Moore, the consistent Trevor Whyte and Deonauth Baksh from their final 11, whilst Berbice omitted former Guyana and West Indies under -19 batsman Richard Ramdeen, Albion’s inform former under -19 batsman Ranga Lachigadu and another former under-19 fast bowler Brandon Bess from their starting 11 also. Umpires Eddie Nichols and Daverteeth Anandjeet will call play from 11am today.
