Under-19 practice match ends in draw

A five-wicket haul from left-arm wrist spinner Totaram Bishun and a half century from Guyana player  Leon Johnson were the highlights of a quiet third and final day of the practice match involving the Guyana Under- 19 team at Everest Cricket Club (ECC Ground) yesterday.

The Under 19 side which resumed the day on 139 for 5 were soon bowled out for 182, as Bishun ripped through the lower middle-order to claim wickets. Fast bowler Andre Stoll supported with 3 wickets, while opener Kevon Boodie top scored with 75.

Batting a second time the Rest XI posted 179 for 6, with Johnson top scoring with 50 and a few of the other batsmen chipping in with 20-plus scores. These were Shemroy Barrington 27, Trevon Griffith 28, Jahron Byron 24, Randy Indore 21.

Star left-arm orthodox spinner Gudakesh Motie who has a huge role to play for Guyana when the Under-19 tournament commences next week, backed up his 1st innings three-wicket haul with 4 wickets, while off-spinner/all-rounder Jamal La Fleur supported with two scalps.

The Under 19s needing an impossible 283 to win in just over a session eventually reached 79  with opener Boodie again top scoring with 32 before both sides decided to call the contest off. Overall not much can be taken from the performance of the Under 19 in preparation for the regional tournament over the course of the last 3 days. None of the other regional under-19 teams is likely to possess the international experience that certain players in the Rest XI have such as Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs and Leon Johnson.