Demerara were yesterday crowned the new 2014/15 Inter-County four-day champions after the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Developmental XI and Berbice played to a draw as curtains came down on this year’s tournament.
Demerara, who completed an outright win over Essequibo on Thursday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda ground, ended their campaign on 44 points while runners-up Berbice wrapped up their campaign on 30 points. The winners received a trophy and $100,000 while Berbice carried away their second place trophy and $50,000.
Demerara middle-order batsman Rajendra Chandrika who registered the tournament’s top score of 219 against Berbice was awarded the competition’s MVP award as well as the leading run scorer award. GCB XI skipper Steven Jacobs and Essequibo spinner Anthony Adams who both snared 15 wickets shared the best bowler award with Jacobs allowing Adams to take home the trophy.
In the final match played at the Wales Community Development Centre ground, Berbice, who resumed yesterday on 136 for 4 for an overall lead of 188, were eventually bowled out for 273, setting their opponents a target of 326 for victory.
Skipper Narsingh Deonarine top scored with a 190-ball 77 a knock which defied the GCB XI who rode high on Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s first innings knock of 123.
Deonarine resumed yesterday’s final day on 55 along with night-watchman Keon Joseph who duly lost his wicket for one run early on the final morning.
The former West Indies middle-order batsman progressed to 77 before he was caught a point off the bowling of Sharaz Ramcharran who was the most successful bowler for the GCB XI with four wickets.
Royston Crandon (33) and Anthony Bramble (18) along with tail-ender Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai who was unbeaten on 13 after the last man Raun Johnson (0) was dismissed, were the other notable scorers for Berbice.
With the possibility of a draw looming the umpires were forced to stop play twice due to bad light but the Developmental XI managed to resume the innings after tea.
The GCB Developmental openers Shimron Hetmyer (33*) struck four boundaries in a very aggressive manner while the more classical Tagenarine Chanderpaul (16) was dismissed by Deonarine leaving Sharaz Ramcharran unbeaten on 8 and the score 50-1 when the skippers decided to call of the match.
A recap of the match would see Berbice commanding control from the first day when they posted a daunting 418 thanks to centuries from Anthony Bramble and Crandon while GCB XI replied with a fluent century from the elder statesman Chanderpaul.
At the post match presentation GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie said that he was pleased with the level of competition and was happy that Chanderpaul was able to give the youngsters confidence and help them play four days of cricket.
Meanwhile, winning skipper Singh, said that he was proud of his players and the way they performed throughout the competition.
