National all-rounder Akshaya Persaud produced an aggressive display of strokeplay to score an unbeaten half-century which helped Cornelia Ida (CI) defeat Winsor Forest by nine wickets in the latest round of the West Demerara Cricket Association President’s Cup 50 overs tournament, Sunday at the Wales Community Centre Ground.
With overnight rain, the wet outfield saw the contest reduced to a 30 overs-a-side affair. Batting first, Winsor Forest reached 110-9 from 29.4 overs with one of their batsmen retiring hurt.
In reply, CI needed just 16 overs to reach 111-1.
Winsor Forest began cautiously with Abraheem Wazid Ali rotating the strike frequently but left-arm bowler Shameer Khan struck twice in his fourth over to remove Wazid Ali for 18 and Avinash Ganesh for the same score.
Muneshwar Balgobin (14) and Mohanram Chatram (10 not out) were the other batsmen to reach double figures. Khan, who took the wickets of the top three batsmen, ended with 4-18 from six overs while Persaud, who also plays for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Harrinarine Bissoondyal also chipped in with one wicket each.
Despite the low total, 26 wides were bowled in the innings.
In reply, Persaud struck two sixes and six fours in his knock of 66 not out. He was supported by his fellow West Demerara Franchise Team and Everest Cricket Club player Richie Looknauth (34).
The added 73 runs for the opening stand before Looknauth was given leg before wicket to Sachin Balgobin.
