Demerara registered their second win in as many matches when they defeated Essequibo by three wickets at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda. Batting first, Essequibo reached 153-9 in 50 overs while Demerara crept to 154-7 in 48.2 overs. The star performers were Demerara’s Matthew Nandu who scored 22 and grabbed 4-15, while Brandon Jaikarran anchored the innings with 43.
Essequibo won the toss and elected to bat first at the GCC Bourda against Demerara. Both Essequibo openers – Sheldon Charles and Sunil Persaud – were sent back to the hut after scoring one each. Captain Charles was out caught by Chanderpaul Ramraj off the bowling of right-arm quickie, Jagdesh Dowlatram.
Essequibo’s first five batsmen struggled to reach double figures; Ronaldo Scouten (6), Azizi Christiani (2) and Wazim Mohamed (8) succumbed to Demerara. At 45-6, the boys from the Cinderella County looked far from reaching 100 runs.
Essequibo’s Aryan Persaud top scored and had three wickets
With some 53 extras bowled, 43 which were wide balls, the grit and determination of Aryan Persaud took Essequibo’s innings deep. Orin Gibson bating at number 11 partnered with Persaud and added an unbeaten 74-run last wicket partnership. The left-handed Persaud scored a fighting 39 from 134 balls batting for 136 minutes in an innings that included two fours.
Gibson hit 28 from 48 balls, hitting three fours as the Essequibians bat all 50 of their allotted overs reaching 153-9. Bowling for Demerara, Vice Captain Matthew Nandu had sensational figures of 4-15 in 10 overs, bowling 5 maidens with his right arm off-spin.
Matthew Nandu had a good all-round game with 4-15 and 22
In Demerara’s reply, the openers looked on sound surviving chances, from Essequibo’s best youth player, Sheldon Charles, who bit the edge of Brandon Jaikarran. Fellow left hander Matthew Nandu, early in the innings, looked solid in his technique.
Essequibo got their first wicket when they removed Nandu for 22 out via the run out route, as well as Shamar Yearwood who scored 13. Jaikarran stood firm batting for 124 balls in his marathon innings of 43 including three fours, before he was out caught and bowled off Aryan Persaud.
Arguably the most technically correct batsman, Andre Seepersaud scored 22 from 22 balls stroking two fours to ensure Demerara their second win in as many matches. Demerara won by three wickets reaching 154-7 in 48.2 overs. Essequibo’s Aryan Persaud was the best bower with 3-29 in a losing effort after he top-scored.
Brandon Jaikarran top scored for Demerara
Demerara will play Select U-15 at the Everest Cricket Club, as both matches in the third round will commence from 09:30h.
