GCB/Dave’s U15 50-Over tournament: Round One: Arif Khan leads Berbice to thumping win over President’s XI

…Demerara crush Essequibo

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

In the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Dave West Indian Imports and Exports U-15 50-Over Tournament, the Berbice Under-15 team, led by an incredible 4-8 in six overs from Arif Khan, vanquished the Rising Stars Select U-15 (President’s XI) team at the picturesque Number 69 Vikings ground on the Corentyne Coast in Region Six, winning the match by 146 runs.

Also, Demerara thumped Essequibo by 76 runs (DLS) at the equally picturesque Imam Bacchus Ground on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two.
In the Berbice match, which was reduced to 48 overs due to rain across the ancient county, Berbice posted 196-9 in their allotted overs, with promising knocks coming from Romario Ramdeholl (44), Adrian Hetmyer (31), Razam Koober (25) and Rovin Boodwah (22). Bowling for the Rising Stars Select U-15 Team, Berbician Nicholas Hall took 3-24.
In response, Berbician right-arm speedster Arif Khan blew away the Rising Stars top order, causing them to fold their innings at 50 all out, with extras contributing a hefty 36 runs.

With the match being spectated by a small but vocal gathering – which included the legendary Sir Andy Roberts, who witnessed the second innings – Berbice openers had a watchful start.
Razam Koober (25) and Vishaul Williams (05) contributed 26 runs after 4.2 overs, before left-arm pacer Nicholas Hall, who looked a good prospect, had the early wicket of Williams, whose stumps he shattered.
Then Skipper Ramdeholl came and proverbially dropped anchor. Known for his classy batting, the lad from Rose Hall Canje was the eventual top-scorer; his 44 came off 86 balls in 109 minutes before he was caught by the wicket-keeper Hall. He struck three fours on a fast outfield.
Koober, who made 25 from 58 balls, which included two fours, featured in a 44-run stand with his captain, Ramdeholl.
The talented Adrian Hetmyer, nephew of West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, looked set for a big score, but was run out for a 55-ball 31 which was decorated with three fours. He and his Rose Hall Canje teammate Ramdeholl shared a 42-run stand.
Rovin Boodwah made 22, and Enrique Mickle’s 15 propelled Berbice to what looked like a challenging score. Hall bowled ten overs for 24 runs, with one maiden, and claimed three wickets. Reshan Sakrulla had 2-38 in six overs.
In the chase, the Rising Stars Select U-15 team never got going. No batter reached double figures, and extras contributed 36 runs. Pacer Arif Khan bowled six overs, of which two were maidens, and reaped four wickets for eight runs in his “player of the match” effort.
He was supported by Enrique Mickle, who took 2-14, and by Adrian Hetmyer, who claimed 2-3 in 3.4 overs of brisk seam bowling.
The match played at the Imam Bacchus Ground on the Essequibo Coast was also affected by rain. Demerara posted 126 all out, with Dinesh Persaud producing the top score of 29, while Mickel Sharma made 27. Bowling for Essequibo, Earo Benjamin took 3-19 and Christopher Williams took 3-20 in five overs.
In response, Darwin La Rose took 5-19 in five overs, as Essequibo made 45 all out in 21.5 overs. Demerara won that match by 76 runs through the DLS method.
Rakesh Kellawan was Essequibo’s lone double figures’ contributor with 10 runs. This match was reduced to 22 overs in the second innings, due to another rain interval.
The tournament will continue on Monday April 25 with Berbice taking on Demerara at Albion, and Essequibo and Rising Stars Select U-15 playing at Everest.