Abysmal batting display highlights 1st day of Berbice U-17 clash

GCB/Hand-In-Hand 3-Day Inter-County U-19…

‒ Demerara in pole position against Essequibo

Batting displays by the Berbice Team and the National U-17 Select Squad were so dismal that two wickets have already been lost in the third innings at the close of a day that featured several disruptions and delays due to rain.
In the first round of the three-day version of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-In-Hand Insurance Under-19 Tournament, the U-17s ended day one with a five-run lead and eight wickets remaining.
The outfield at the Everest Cricket Club Ground was heavy, and the U-17s were dismissed for 86 in 49.4 overs in their first innings, before ending the day on 5-2 in their second innings. Berbice were routed for 86 in just 31.1 overs.
In their first turn at the crease, the U-17s lost two early wickets with just three runs on the scorecard, and they never recovered. They had a torrid time facing the hostile bowling of Sylus Tyndall (4-13), who was well supported by left-arm medium-fast bowler Javed Karim (2-25), skipper Kevin Sinclair (2-21) and left-arm orthodox bowler Keith Simpson (2-25). Kevlon Anderson (39) and Junior Sinclair (16) were the only U-17 batsmen who made it to double-figures.
The Berbicians started their reply with 10 overs remaining before tea, and were 33-1 by the break; with Kevin Sinclair on 19 and Adrian Sukwah on 11. Veramootoo Senwasane was the batsman back in the hut, bowled by Reyaz Khan for one.
Shortly after the tea break, Sinclair got too ambitious, attempting a big heave against a looped delivery from U-17 skipper Ashmead Nedd only to find Junior Sinclair in the way at short mid-wicket. He was sent back to the hut, but not before registering 28, the top-score for his team.
In the next over, Sukwah was caught behind off the bowling of Kevin Umrao without adding to his score in the final session. Thereafter, Nedd and Umrao dominated, with support from Junior Sinclair and Pradesh Balkishun, who claimed a wicket apiece. Nedd bagged 4-30 while Umrao grabbed 3-30.
Playing without several of their key players — Sachin Singh, Alex Algoo, Alphius Bookie and Jevon Schultz — the U-17s started their second innings looking to improve on their first innings’ performance. Their scoring account was opened by a keeper’s misfield that went racing to the boundary for four byes, as Tyndall bowled with extreme pace.
However, the introduction of Simpson in the fourth over created havoc, the spinner snaring two wickets in successive balls before the umpires called it a day. Simpson will resume day two aiming to pick up the first hat-trick of the tournament.
Back in the hut are Kevin Christian for one and Umroa for a golden duck. Both batsmen were dismissed LBW.
Across at the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary, reigning champions Demerara had, by the close, already stretched their first innings’ lead against Essequibo to 124, compliments of Raymond Perez, who hit a solid 95.
Essequibo were rattled for 106, with Keshram Seyhodam capturing three victims while Sagar Hathiramani snared two scalps.
Demerara closed on 230-5, with Perez hitting 11 boundaries off 125 deliveries to lead the way. Ramnarine Chatura and Richie Looknauth are the unbeaten batsmen, with 23 and 11 respectively. Joshua Persaud was looking good before he was dismissed for 31. Joel Fortune has so far taken three wickets.
Play will resume today at 10:00h.