Rain dampens final day action

GCB/CGI Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League\

A weekend of high-quality cricket ended in disappointing fashion on Sunday, as rain forced drawn results between East Coast Demerara and Georgetown as well as East Bank Demerara and Essequibo in round three of the ongoing Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League.

At the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, national youth batting sensation Bhaskar Yadram slammed an unbeaten 108 with five fours and six sixes as East Coast Demerara made a spirited attempt to chase of 300 runs for a come from behind win. He was aided by a solid unbeaten innings of 54 from Chandrapaul Hemraj. The Everest Cricket Club players combined for a century partnership which ended when bad light stopped play at with the score on 194-2 after 34 over.
The partnership between Yadram and Hemraj was the highlight on the final day’s play, following East Coast’s loss of their openers; out-of-favor West Indies Test opener Rajendra Chandrika (11) and the ultra-aggressive Brian Sattaur (17) who were both removed by young Jamaican leg-spinner Ramaal Lewis (2-42) after Georgetown declared on their overnight score of 244-9 leaving the hosts to get 300 runs for victory.
Play on the final day began at 14:50h due to early morning rain which kept the pitch covered and the players indoors. Only 33 overs were permitted before last hour.
Scores; Georgetown 199 & 244-9 declared. East Coast Demerara 136 and 194-2.
Over at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, rain in the first session put the brakes on Essequibo’s push for an outright victory. All-rounder Sherfane Rutherford resumed on 108 but added just three runs to finish on 111 as East Bank Demerara ended their first innings on 312 after starting the day on 303-9 in response to 280 all out made by Essequibo in their first innings.
Left-arm spinner and Essequibo skipper Anthony Adams snatched (3-73) while Ricardo Adams (2-35), all-rounder Keemo Paul (2-89) and fast-bowler Joshua Jones (1-18), lent significant support to their captain. Trailing by 32 runs, Essequibo was then forced to end their second innings on 48-2 when the heavens opened. After a series of inspections, match Umpires Nigel Dugid and Shannon Crawford called off the match at approximately 14:35hrs. The experienced officials cited that the bowlers run up at the northern end and the eastern section of the square were too wet for play to resume and there was little possibility of the spots drying out due to the overcast conditions.
The fourth round bowls off on Friday with Lower Corentyne facing East Bank at Cumberland, Upper Corentyne versus West Demerara at Port Mourant; West Berbice will tackle East Coast at Bush Lot while the Georgetown/Essequibo clash is expected to bowl off at the Bourda Ground.