Nandu’s all-round efforts help Demerara brush aside Essequibo

GCB/Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-County tournament…

West Indies Under-19 prospect Matthew Nandu has highlighted the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-County 50-Over tournament with a blistering 53, before returning figures of 2-21 in 5.2 overs to help the city side register a crushing win against Essequibo.

In an encounter at La Bonne Intention (LBI) cricket ground, reduced to 38 overs per side to facilitate the Essequibo’s team travelling schedule, Demerara batted first and posted 162-8, while Essequibo responded with 86 all out in 27.2 overs to suffer a 76-run defeat.
Earlier, Demerara lost their ‘big fish’ Sachin Singh for a second-ball duck, but fellow opener Nandu joined forces with Ushardeva Balgobin, and the latter scored a 59-ball 45 that was decorated with two sixes and four fours.
Nandu’s knock was decorated with four boundaries in 147 minutes. West Indies youth player Mavindra Dindyal was run out for 27 made from 37 balls, as only three Demerara batsmen reached double figures.
Jason Holder claimed 2-28 in seven overs, while Wazim Mohamed picked up 2-26.
In Essequibo’s chase, it was only Guyana youth player Sheldon Charles who offered resistance, scoring 25 from 43 balls, while Nicko Vincent scored 12 in batting at number nine.
Dwain Dick was the chief destructor for the Demerara side, claiming 3-15 in seven top overs. To polish off Demerara’s collective bowling effort, Chaitram Balgobin claimed 2-10 in two overs, whole Nandu’s 2-21 came off 5.2 overs. Left-arm spinner Zachary Jodah had 1-5.
The next match of the shortened tournament will be played on Friday February 12 from 8:45h, with Essequibo coming up against Berbice at LBI. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, February 14 with Demerara looking to successfully defend their title against arch-rivals Berbice.