Berbice sets up final clash with unbeaten Demerara
Unbeaten Demerara and Berbice are set to clash in Sunday’s final after recording comprehensive victories against their opponents in the final preliminary round of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Dave West Indian Imports inter county U15 50-over tournament yesterday.
President’s XI best batsman Shammar Yearwood top scored during his stubborn knock of 32 yesterday against an unbeaten Demerara
Defending champions Demerara defeated GCB President’s X1 by eight wickets while Berbice got the better of Essequibo with all 10 wickets intact.
At the Everest Cricket Club Ground, GCB President’s XI slipped to 26-3 after opting to take first strike. From the start it seem as the wrong decision by the combined team and it never got better as their innings progress.
Demerara fast bowler Devanand Khemraj uprooted the stumps of Mahendra Gooplall (00) and had Tamnni Caesar (02) caught before Zeynul Ramsammy was run out for two.
Although there was the constant fall of wickets around him, Shammar Yearwood persevered for a stubborn knock of 32 from 102 deliveries and was the sixth wicket to fall in his team’s innings, when he was trapped lbw by Daniel Mootoo.
Prior to his dismissal, Ken George (04) and Reynaldo Mohamed (01) were dismissed in quick succession. Skipper Elnathan Suknanand was the only other batsman that reached double figures with 13 as the President’s XI were bowled out for a measly 84 in 34.2 overs. Brandon Jaikarran took 2-0 off one over while Chandrapaul Ramraj had 2-17 and Khemraj 2-19.
At the start of their reply, Demerara lost Ushardev Balgobin lbw to J. Barton for three before Shoaib Shaw and Jaikarran took them within sight of victory. Demerara skipper and best batsman to date, Shaw hit four fours to remain unbeaten on 37 while Jaikarran was taken at slip off Mohamed for 10. Andre Seepersaud was unbeaten on 10 as Demerara finished on 85-2 in 20.2 overs. Barton and Mohamed had one wicket each.
Across at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, Berbice humble Essequibo by 10 wickets. Batting first, Essequibo folded for 85 in 41.3 overs. Arguably their best two players, Sheldon Charles led with 28 and Ronald Scouten made 15. Hemraj Heralall grabbed 4-19, Garav Ramesh 4-21 and Abdul Ramsammy 2-14.
Berbice responded with 86 without lost in 24.2 overs. Anthony Williams scored 35 and Ricardo Ramdeal 34.
Demerara and Berbice will now clash in the final on Sunday at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground (GCC), Bourda.
