By Romario Samaroo
A blistering century and figures of 2-19 from Man-of-the-Match Christopher Barnwell booked Georgetown’s spot in today’s final of the 2017 Guyana Cricket Board/Jaguars 50-0ver league after they disposed of defending champions, Lower Corentyne.
Moved to Providence after originally scheduled for the Albion Community Development Centre ground, Berbice, the match was reduced to 46 overs-a-side after rain ensured a late start but that did not stop a hyped up Barnwell who stepped up to the plate on a good batting track to smack a sizzling 101 from 100 deliveries to see his side posting 216 after skipper Leon Johnson won the toss and elected to bat.
Georgetown looked steady with openers Robin Bacchus (23) and Andrew Lyght Jr. (21) before Royston Crandon began his assault, removing Johnson, the West Indies test batsman and four-time winning four-day championship side, Guyana Jaguars captain, LBW for seven.
Barnwell then unleased his assault on the Lower Corentyne’s sub-par bowling.
The Lower Corentyne’s bowlers were unable to rein in the in-form Barnwell who struck nine maximums and four boundaries before being caught off the bowling of Crandon by Gajanand Singh.
Leading wicket taker in the Guyana Jaguars four-day team, Veerasammy Permaul removed Shemroy Barrington (10) while Dexter Solomon fell cheaply. However, a crucial 64-run partnership between Raamal Lewis (14) and Barnwell with a cameo from Paul Wintz (16) helped Georgetown to go past the 200-run mark.
Wintz returned with the ball to dismiss Singh in the first over and Sharaz Ramcharra (21) while Kellon Carmichael removed Seon Hetmyer (6) and Royston Crandon (0) in successive deliveries leaving Lower Correntyne reeling at 4-38. A healthy partnership between Jonathon Foo (32) and Devon Clements (16) looked to trouble the Georgetown bowlers. However, their stand proved futile as the defending champions crumbled to 93 all out inside 26 overs with Wintz finishing with a four-wicket haul.
Georgetown will now take on three-day champs, Essequibo, who already signalled their intention of securing the double.
