Guyana Harpy Eagles Trial match: ‘Gritty’ Akshaya Persaud highlights opening day

By Brandon Corlette at Albion

Left-handed batsman Akshya Persaud showed grit and determination with his unbeaten half-century on the first day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match, under clear skies at the beautiful Albion Community Centre Cricket Ground.
The small but vocal gathering welcomed the return of competitive cricket in Berbice as Team Johnson’s XI ended the slow day on 188-7 in 91 overs. Persaud top-scored with an unbeaten 54 from 152 balls while a returning Clinton Pestano stood tall for his unbeaten 24 from 71 balls.

Earlier, Leon Johnson XI won the toss and opted to bat first and openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymond Perez (09) had a cautious start adding 27 runs for the first wicket in 14.5 overs. Perez was the first dismissed by Veerasammy Permaul, caught at mid-off by a diving Mavindra Dindyal.

The young Chanderpaul, who played some delightful shots, did not get value for his runs, as the outer part of the ground was heavy. Kemol Savory (07) came and went cheaply while Chanderpaul inside edged one on the stumps and was cleaned up by opposition captain, Keemo Paul at 46-3 after 27 overs. At lunch, Johnson’s XI reached 47-3.

Vishaul Singh joined skipper Leon Johnson and the duo added 29 runs before Singh (13) was trapped by a full Sylus Tyndall-ball at 75-4 in 38.5 overs. Before the tea interval, skipper Johnson (25) was brilliantly taken at covers by Paul, at 88-5, off Qumar Torrington. At tea, Johnson’s XI were 107-5, with the left-hander Persaud on 16 and Jonathan Rampersaud on seven.
Persaud battled along and in the final session, he punched the ball along the ground and added runs to his tally. Rampersaud eventually fell caught behind for a painstaking seven from 45 balls, off the bowling of Seon Glasgow. Kevin Sinclair joined Persaud and played aggressive but was short-lived, caught at long-off for 16 from 10 balls off the bowling of Ashmead Nedd at 145-7.
Pestano and Persaud added an unbroken 43 runs, batting for more than 22 overs together, to ensure no further hiccups at stumps. Persaud, who spent 190 minutes at the crease, had reached his half-century off 118 balls, and struck four boundaries on the heavy and fairly large outfield. Pestano, who is known for his aggressive stroke-play, showed signs of solidity in his resolute 24, which included one six and one four.
Bowling for Paul’s XI, against a batting line-up that included six of the top seven batsmen being left-handed, Glasgow had (1-6 in three overs), Tyndall (1-13 in seven overs), Paul (1-17 in nine overs), Torrington (1-15 in seven overs), Veerasammy Permaul (1-43 in 30 overs), Junior Sinclair (1-40 in 17 overs), and Ashmead Nedd (1-31 in eight overs) had one wicket each.
The second day of the Four-Day match will bowl off from 10:00h and the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Tevin Imlach and Kevlon Anderson will want to start well when Paul’s XI gets an opportunity.