Chris Barnwell cracked a ton a snapped up two wickets as Georgetown knocked out Lower Corentyne, beating them by 103 runs to secure a place in today’s final against Essequibo at Providence.
Looking to make a strong case for a national recall, Barnwell who didn’t feature in the Jaguars four-day team this season, smoked four fours and thumped nine huge sixes in his 101 which was the cornerstone of Georgetown’s 216 all out on the huge outfield at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday.
Openers Robin Bacchus and Andrew Lyght Jr who hit 23 and 21 respectively, were the other significant scorers for Georgetown while the 2017 champions, Lower Corentyne’s bowling was piloted by off-spinning all-rounder Royston Crandon who snatched 4-41.
Georgetown’s medium pacer Kellon Carmichael and wicketkeeper Dexter Solomon celebrate the big wicket of Royston Crandon while Jonathan Foo looks on
Left-arm spinner and the 17/18 Regional 4-Day’s leading wicket-taker; Veerasammy Permaul claimed 2-21 while another lefty in Kassim Khan grabbed 2-38 and pacer Niall Smith 2-51.
Lower Corentyne weren’t up to the task with the bat and were kept to a paltry 93 all-out in 26 overs with Jonathan Foo top-scoring with a gritty 32. Veteran pacer Paul Wintz returned figures of 4-20 with two wickets apiece from Ramaal Lewis and Barnwell.
The defending champs commenced their chase in shaky fashion losing openers; Sharaz Ramcharran (21) and Gajanand Singh (00), caught behind by wicket-keeper Dexter Solomon off seamer Paul Wintz.
Right-arm pacer Kellon Carmichael who spent a significant amount of time in England last year honing his skills, landed a double blow by bowling Seon Hetmyer for 6.
He then pinned the ex-West Indies all-rounder Crandon LBW for a second ball duck to leave the Berbice franchise hanging on 60-4 after their first 15 overs.
Foo and Devon Clements were tasked with the repair job but Barnwell operating from the Media Center End had other ideas when he had both Foo and Jason Sinclair (00) out caught behind in quick succession.
With the wheels falling off, Jamaican all-rounder Ramaal Lewis joined in on the action, trapping Clements leg before wicket for 16.
Wintz returned to snap up two wickets at the back end of the innings; bagging the scalps of Permaul (03) who gave Solomon his fifth catch of the match and Khan (02). The final wicket to fall was that of Smith who was succumbed LBW to Lewis which left Raun Johnson stranded on 1.
Meanwhile, new champions will be crowned today when at the same venue when Essequibo will be eyeing a double title after winning the 3-Day title come up against a spirited Georgetown side that will be looking to add another domestic title to their collection.
The first ball is at 09:30h.
