MSC leads DCC on first innings

— Jacques captures hat-trick

At the end of day one of their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Noble House Seafoods clash with archrival Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) took first innings points after restricting the host DCC to a paltry total.

Yesterday, MSC claimed first innings by 59 runs by routing DCC for 119 in reply to their first innings score of 178.

Imran Hassan (84) who led with the bat and leg spinner Steven Sankar (3-31) and Vishal Narayan (3-20) were the stars of the day for MSC. When the visitor’s batted, Hassan hit a scintillating half century which included five colossal sixes and 11 fours. His second-wicket partnership with Rakhael Greene (15) was worth 60 runs and was the highest for the day for either side.

Carlton Jacques
Carlton Jacques
Steven Sankar
Steven Sankar

Hassan took the charge to the DCC bowlers before pacer Carlton Jacques was introduced. Jacques struck gold immediately as he picked up the wickets of Greene and Narayan who were both caught behind and Nicosie Barker, leg before wicket, off successive balls to complete the first hat-trick of his career. He finished with 3-37 for DCC, but was overshadowed by nippy medium pacer Sherfane Rutherford who bagged 4-45.

In pursuit of first innings lead, DCC’s chase was hampered by quality bowling by former national youth spinners Sankar and Narayan. Leg spinner Sankar bowled with control and spun the ball while Narayan used variation and accuracy against the DCC batsmen who seemed very impatient. The spin pair combined to rip through the host’s middle order.

Tevin Imlach (24) was very determined at the crease but lacked the support of the other batsmen. MSC will start their second innings when play resumes today.

At the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground, Ace Warriors made 108, Murtland Ward 24, Delon Azore 23 and Christopher Dick 10 were the only batsmen that reached

Imran Hassan
Imran Hassan

double figures as Clyde Butts bagged 5-9 and Jermain Grosvenor 3-19. Guyana National Industrial Corporation declared on 228-5 in reply. Ryan Shun top scored with 77, Grosvenor made 61 and Joshua Persaud 41. Ward took 2-49 for Ace Warriors who closed the day on 25-0 in their second innings with Keon George on 13 and Roger Aarons on 11.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, Sophia was rattled out for 109, taking first strike. Leroy Massiah scored 32. Off-spinner Tariq Dharanlall captured 4-18, Stephon Wilson 3-26 and Nkosie Julian 2-26. GCC replied with 244-6 at stumps. Devon Lord is unbeaten on 130 while Omesh Budram made 22, Wilson 19 and Manny Forde 18. Khalil Duncan has so far taken two wickets.