By: Sean Devers (Kaieteur News)
Berbice and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Development X1 played to a draw at Walesyesterday on the final day of their third round GCB Inter-County cricket tournament despite a cultured 77 from Test left-hander Narsingh Deonarine as Berbice finished runner-up to Champions Demerara, who beat Essequibo in their final round game at Bourda.
Deonarine fell 23 short of his first four-day Inter-County ton since 2009 when he made 145 against the GCB President’s X1 at DCC, to lead Berbice to 269-9 declared before the GCB team, set 326 for an unlikely win, reached 51 for the loss of Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s wicket for 16 in their second innings.
Berbice made 418 in their first innings before Shiv Chanderpaul’s first century in over a decade, rallied the Development side to 336 to give Berbice a lead of 52.
Berbice resumed the final day on 134-6, enjoying a lead of 188 runs and quickly lost night watchman Keon Joseph (1) caught at cover off Kemo Paul at 142-5.
Deonarine survived a confident caught behind appeal off Steven Jacobs, who spun his fingers raw in a marathon 40-over spell on the last day track which offered prodigious turn for the spinners in bright sunshine.
Deonarine carried his overnight 55 to 77 before he was removed by under-19 off-spinner Sharaz Ramcharran at 196-6 after batting for 298 minutes, 190 balls with two fours and three sixes.
Anthony Bramble (24) steered Ramcharran to Jacobs at slip before Crandon continued his good form in the competition by batting for 117 minutes and 92 balls before he was bowled by Ramcharran for 40 to leave Berbice 334-8 from a Lunch time score of 221-6.
With news of the Demerara victory Berbice opted to bat on instead of declaring and were 250-8 when a dark ominous cloud caused the Umpires to halt play due to bad light at 13:23hrs.
Play resumed at 13:45hrs and as conditions got progressively worse an early Tea being taken before Jacobs, who finished with 1-99, trapped Veerasammy Permaul LBW for 21 before the declaration was made at 269-9.
Paul ended with 3-41 and Ramcharran 3-70 for the GCB X1 who were given an entertaining 49 run first wicket stand by West Indies U-19 openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shemron Hetymer before Jonathon Foo had Chanderpaul caught behind.
Hetymer played some thumping shots in his undefeated 34 with four fours from 50 balls before the match was called off with an hour left in the day’s play.
At the presentation Ceremony Demerara Captain Vishaul Singh was presented with the $100,000 first prize and the championship trophy, while Berbice collected the $50,000 runner-up prize. Rajendra Chandrika who scored 402 runs copped the prize for the batsman with the most runs and MVP of the tournament.
Jacobs and Essequibo left-arm spinner Anthony Adams took 15 wickets each and shared the prize for bowler with the most wickets.