Essequibo hoping to keep stranglehold on Demerara

…as 50-over battles ensue today

Demerara will hope to put aside their massive misfortunes in the three-day encounter and rebound powerfully when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Hand-in-Hand Insurance Under-19 inter-county 50-over competition commences today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground and the Tuschen ground.
At GCC, the home side will be without marque batsman Bhaskar Yadram, due to what is understood to be his troubling ankle injury. They will still have the likes of Joshua Persaud, Nkosie Beaton, Adrian Hinds and Sagar Hathiramani, who will have to conquer the scare of being bundled out for a paltry 40 by Essequibo a day after being ousted by Berbice for a meagre 50.

Head coach Rohan Sarjoo, in a brief comment on Saturday, expressed optimism. “I think they will pull themselves up and bat better,” he declared.
Impressive Qumar Torrington is back in the squad, and will be the man required to produce some early inroads.
The shorter format suits Essequibo better, as all-rounder Joshua Jones promises to be a threat with his big-hitting ability and menacing medium-pace, while Kurt Lovell and Kevin Christian are prepared to use all their wiles to keep the bragging rights over Demerara.
Over at Tuschen, EBE, the Berbice boys, crowned three-day champions on Friday, would want to make a clean sweep of the titles, and starting with a convincing show over the National Select Under-17 Team would be crucial.
Kevlon Anderson, coming off a sublime 120, will again be a key figure in the middle-order, along with Captain Kevin Sinclair. Opening duo of the hard-hitting Alex Algoo and Junior Sinclair should start the early fireworks, while the bulk of the bowling with come from menacing spinner Kevin Omrao.
As for the U-17s, if Captain Sachin Singh gets going, he can easily decimate the Berbicians with his authoritative stroke-play, while opening partner Mavendra Dindyal looks a class act in the middle.
Yeudistir Persaud and Seon Glasgow are some other names who will be required to step up to the plate; while, with the ball, Sheldon Charles, Nigel Deodat and Sylvian Williams have to strike early.