An unbeaten century from Alex Algoo ensured Berbice wiped off a 91-run deficit and pile on a 201-run lead against the Select Under-17 after day two of the Hand-In-Hand Under-19 Inter-County three-day tournament yesterday.
Despite 33 minutes being lost due to rain, the Under-17s resumed on 185-6 but lasted just one hour into the day when they were dismissed for 218 in 71.4 overs.
Berbice, in their second innings, stamped their authority as they closed the day on 292-4 after facing 70 overs.
The defending champions were led by 18-year-old left handed opener, Algoo, who was gifted two lives in the first over, first on a difficult return catch to Sheldon Charles and at slip two balls later.
He also benefited from a run out chance as well and capitalized on the opportunity to finish day two on 119 from 201 balls, his second century at the level.
The Young Warriors’ opener stroked six fours and three sixes, two of which were scooped into the mid-wicket boundary off of leg-spinner, Niran Bissu and left-arm orthodox, Chandrapaul Ramraj respectively.
Algoo was integral to the rebuilding as he allowed the other batsmen to come in and bat around him, first sharing in an opening stand of 88 with Junior Sinclair. Sinclair looked fluent with a 71-ball 42, but was bowled behind his back by Bissu’s quicker ball which he attempted to sweep.
Bissu then accounted for Jeetendra Outar in his following over as he attempted to defend and was bowled with the score 112-2.
West Indies under-19 selectee, Kevlon Anderson recovered from a poor first innings to stroke a fine half century. Anderson’s 53 came from 67 balls and consisted of seven boundaries and he forged an 87-run stand for the third wicket with Algoo before he was caught on long on by Matthew Nandu off of Ramraj.
Algoo was joined by Seon Glasgow and the pair also put on a half century partnership with the rain interrupting with Algoo on 90 and Glasgow on 32.
When play resumed, Glasgow was trapped leg before wicket to Andre Seepersaud shortly after for a 41-ball 40, including four fours and one six.
At the close of play, Algoo is at the wicket with Garfield Benjamin who is on six.
Earlier, Sarwan Chaitnarine was left stranded on 38 with left-arm orthodox, Kelvin Umroa brushing off the lower order to take 5-55 from 25.4 overs. Anderson, Nigel Deodat and Glasgow picked up one wicket each while Sinclair bagged 2-32 with his off-spin.
