GCB’s Snr Inter-County 4-day: Yearwood eying century as Demerara dominate Select XI
– Ali Mohamed slams 94
Shamar Yearwood was unbeaten on 94 at stumps on day one
On a day blessed with brilliant sunshine, national under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman Shamar Yearwood turned on the heat for Demerara in producing 94 not out on day one of the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior Inter-County four-day tournament, played at GCC, Bourda.
The left-handed Yearwood was supported by all-rounder Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, who blazed 94 to take Demerara to 360-8 in 90 overs.
Demerara were asked to bat first, but openers Sachin Singh and Navidra Persaud failed to go big. Persaud was caught at the wicket off the bowling of Demetri Cameron.
Singh and Raymond Perez then joined forces, and the duo looked to consolidate.
Singh made only 17, and Perez made 35 while batting at number three. Demerara reached 66-3 at lunch with Christopher Barnwell on eight and Akshaya Persaud yet to score.
Axed national batsman Persaud started well, striking four sixes and one four in his 61-ball 40. He was eyeing a big score, but failed to convert his start, and was caught by Alvin Mohabir off the bowling of Kelvin Umroa, who delivered a full toss.
Stand-in captain Barnwell made 10 to give the Select XI some hope of closing out the innings early. Ali Mohamed and Yearwood, however, had other plans, as the duo joined forces at 169-5, after 43.1 overs, and dominated the bowling.
Ronaldo Ali Mohamed slammed 94
Ali Mohamed continued to play his aggressive way and was brilliantly caught at long-on by Jeremiah Scott for 94 from 62 balls. He was dismissed on the stroke of tea, after he had struck nine sixes and six fours, and added 77 runs together with Yearwood.
A total of 180 runs was scored in the second session, as Demerara reached 246-6 in 53.2 overs at tea. Yearwood was more selective in his approach, and he attacked when necessary. He lost partners in Richie Looknauth (10) and Ashmead Nedd (25), but Steven Sankar, unbeaten on 11, ensured Demerara had no further hiccups on day one.
Yearwood batted for 162 minutes and faced 153 balls in his unbeaten 94, which was decorated with five fours and four sixes. The Select XI bowlers had a difficult day with the ball, as four bowlers claimed two wickets each. Cameron had 2-49 from 15 overs, while Shane Wong had 2-67 from 13 overs. Rampersaud and Umroa had two wickets as well.
The second day will continue at Bourda with Yearwood resuming the day on 94 and Sankar on 11, as Demerara aims to score in excess of 400 runs.
(Brandon Corlette)
