Essequibo coasted to a 172-run drubbing of the Select XI in the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board senior Inter-County limited overs competition Sunday.
At the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, the Select XI won the toss and inserted the Cinderella County side which recovered from a dodgy start to post 273 for nine from their allotted 50 overs. The Select XI were then routed for a paltry 101 all out in 32.2 overs.
In the presence of a handful of spectators and the national selectors, Essequibo’s openers, Kevon Boodie (20) and Jadon Campbell (five) raced to 32 but that quickly slipped to 44 for three within three overs.
This brought Malcom Hubbard and Kemol Savory to the crease and they then forged a 110-run stand for the fourth wicket. Hubbard took the reins, smashing the young bowling attack around the legendary facility as he reached 76 from 73 balls. His innings featured six sixes and three fours while Savory made 29 from 67 balls.
However, West Indies youth pacer, Isai Thorne showed why he is regarded as one of the most promising bowlers in the region by removing both batsmen, eventually ending with 4-52.
Ricardo Adams made a 47-ball 48, hitting six boundaries including a six over long on. He shared a 77-run partnership with his captain, Antony Adams, who made 39 from 47 balls.
Essequibo were gifted 36 extras but Thorne was supported by his skipper, Junior Sinclair with 3-40 and vice-captain, Christopher Barnwell, who bagged 2-60.
Quinten Sampson then unsettled the Select XI top order, finding the edges of Sachin Singh and Shamar Yearwood’s bats before trapping Barnwell leg before wicket and bowling Joshua Persaud with a low full toss to pick up 4-18.
Raymond Perez top scored with 25 from 41 balls before being bowled by Antony Adams. Suresh Dhanai made 23 from 51 balls but apart from Jonathan Rampersaud (13 not out) and Aryan Persaud (13) no other batsman reached double figures. Garfield Phillips and Adams returned two wickets each.
