Persaud’s half-century highlights day1 despite comeback from Johnson’s XI

It was a day full of events, but the most impressive of them all was the rain, as the GCB’s Best of Best red ball Four-Day Trial commenced at the Providence Stadium, EBD.
The encounter saw the Keemo Paul XI batting first, and at the end of play, the Johnson XI were in control. Nevertheless, a patient knock of 62 from Akshaya Persaud ensured the Keemo Paul XI put a reasonable total on the board.
Despite the obviously gloomy weather, openers Ramon Perez and Trevon Griffith got things started with a couple of boundaries, before Griffith was trapped LBW for 10 by Clinton Pestano to give the Johnson XI their first wicket.
Perez didn’t last long, as he was run out. Demitri Cameron then rocked the Keemo Paul XI, picking up two more wickets to have the score at lunch reading 44-4.
Between lunch and tea, no cricket was played, as the rain decided that; that was its session, thus when play resumed with the score on 56-5, Keemo Paul and Akshaya Persaud, who were at the crease, needed to build an innings. The duo took the score to 100-5 as they defied all odds against a pacey Clinton Pestano. Paul played a handy knock of 36, while Persaud held the fort and brought up his half century.
A few more wickets tumbled, and, at the close of play, the Keemo Paul XI were at 179-9, with Veerasammy Permaul and Nial Smith at the crease. Bowling for the Johnson XI, Demitri Cameron took 2-15, Junior Sinclair took 2-41, while Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Adams and Clinton Pestano each bagged one wicket.