Demerara blew Essequibo away in a rain affected match while the select Under-17s stunned Berbice to record victories in the first round matches of the GCB/HIH U-19 50-Overs Inter-County 2016 Competition yesterday.
At the Enterprise Community Centre Ground, Berbice won the toss and opted to bat on a track that appear to offer even bounce, relative turn and apparent favorable stroke play. However, their fortunes were not to be as they found themselves in early trouble when, Alex Algoo was caught by Ashmead Nedd in the slips for two off fast medium bowler Joshua Jones with the score on six. Alphius Bookie then immediately bowled Sasenarine Sukhu for one to send Berbice reeling at 6/2.
Matthew Hardial and Adrian Sukwah then took the score to 46 before Tameshwar Motieram comprehensively bowled Hardial for four. Zameer Inshan was then caught off the bowling of Sagar Hathiramani for duck, with the score on 47/4.
Adrian Sukwah and Joel Seetaram then attempted to restore some pride to the Berbicians, by featuring in a 59-runs partnership, they took the score to 106/5 in the 24 overs before Seetaram was dismissed LBW to Kevin Sinclair for 37. The dismissal of Seetaram also terminated the revival for Berbice, as they soon folded for 126 0ff 31.3 overs. Adrian Sukwah made a well accomplished 56. Kevin Sinclair who was adjudged Man-of-the-match took 4/8 off 4.3 overs, and the ever improving fast medium bowler Joshua Jones took 2/30.
In reply, the select Under-17s got a brilliant opening stand from Captain Bhaskar Yadram and Sachin Singh. The two displayed good discipline, appeared very confident and in command, as their tactical display was characterized by great judgment, selectivity and admirable execution. The proficiency of the opening stands took the select U-17s to 108 before Sachin Singh was dismissed for 43. Then Deon Venture was dismissed by Joel Seetaram for duck, to make the score 108/2. Joshua Persaud joined Yadram and together they took the score to 127/2 in 22.5 overs, to give the select U-17s victory by eight wickets.
Over at the Wales Community Centre ground, a brilliant all-round performance from national youth player, Ronaldo Alimohamed, led Demerara to a 124-runs victory over Essequibo.
Batting first after being inserted by Essequibo, Demerara posted 163/6 in 38 overs after their innings was cut short by rain. Alimohamed led the way with an unbeaten 53, hitting two fours and two sixes. He was supported by fellow national all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 38 which included two fours and two towering sixes. In form Renaldo Renee was the other main contributor with 23. Bowling for Essequibo, Miguel Jones took 3/21 off nine impressive overs.
Essequibo in reply, requiring a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 181 in 38 overs was blown away for just 56 in 28.3 overs as Ronaldo Alimohamed completed a fine all-round performance by claiming three early wickets, finishing with figures of 3/7 off 5 overs. Keshram Seyhodan wrecked the middle and lower order to finish with impressive figures of 4/9 off five tidy overs of left-arm spin. Demerara skipper, Travis Persaud, was also among wickets, taking 2/28 off eight overs.
The second round of the limited overs format is slated for Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Berbice will go up against Demerara at the Wales Community Centre ground while Essequibo will take on the select U-17s at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Both matches start at 9:30 hrs.