Par team scores in BCB senior trial games

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has bowled off its senior inter-county trial matches, and so far, runs have come at a premium. Across two fixtures and four innings, no side has managed to cross the 250 mark, setting the stage for a tournament that promises to test both technique and temperament.
With the senior inter-county 50-over title set to begin next month, players are using these trials to sharpen their form and stake a claim for selection. At Rose Hall Canje in the opening clash, Veerasammy Permaul’s XI was bundled out for 202 before Nial Smith’s XI edged past the target with a reply of 205.
The following day at Albion, the scores diminished even further. Kevin Sinclair’s XI was dismissed for 164, while Junior Sinclair’s XI eased to 166-5. Notably, no team batted the full 50 overs in either contest – a worrying sign not just for Berbice, but perhaps for Guyana’s cricket overall.
At Rose Hall Canje, when Permaul’s XI made 202 all out, the innings lasted 47 overs. Leon Swamy top-scored with 39, while Jeremy Sandia added an unbeaten 39.
Both of those contributions came from players better known for their bowling, as Swamy and Sandia usually bat down the order. Among the recognised batsmen, Damian Cecil – who has been in sublime form at the club level – managed 19, while last weekend’s First Division centurion, Malcolm Mickle, was limited to 13.
With the ball, Leon Cecil impressed with 2-12, while Micah Amsterdam (2-22), Gaurav Ramesh (2-23), and Feeaz Baksh (2-18) all chipped in with useful spells. In reply, Smith’s XI reached 205 in 34 overs, powered by Tomani Caesar’s 47. Caesar, like Mickle, also entered the match on the back of a First Division century.
Jonathan Rampersaud supported with 29, while Seon Glasgow added 27 to keep the chase steady. For Permaul’s XI, left-arm spinner Reuben Latcha returned 3-31, with Oyindi Rogers (2-9) and Raymond Vankenie (2-13) also among the wickets.
The BCB’s second senior 50-over trial match was staged today at the Albion Community Centre Ground.
In the second trial at Albion, Kevin Sinclair’s XI could only muster 164 all out. Garfield Benjamin top-scored with 47, while Ricardo Ramdehol added 30. Sarwan Chaitnarine (24), Clinton Pestano (19), and Adrian Hetmyer (11) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Talented off-spinning all-rounder Junior Sinclair produced a spell of 4-7. He was well supported by Leon Andrews, who finished with 3-10.
Junior Sinclair’s XI replied with 166-5 in 38 overs to complete the chase. Andrews anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 69, while Zeynul Ramsammy offered strong support with a fluent 51. For Kevin Sinclair’s XI, the experienced Pestano was the standout with 3-25, while Shelton Ramsay (2-5) and Kevin Sinclair (1-26) also chipped in.
Notably, the second trial was expected to feature national stars Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, and Romario Shepherd, but none of them took the field.
Kevlon Anderson will be absent from this year’s Berbice team, as he has been called up to represent the West Indies in the two-Test series in India starting October 2. Meanwhile, Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the series due to injury, with his return to action set to be reassessed ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh limited-over fixtures.