Record-breaking Yadram cripples U-17s with majestic 260
By Clifton Ross
Windies Youth player Bhaskar Yadram smashed a fourteen year inter-county three-day record, as his scintillating and unbeaten 260 gave Demerara immediate command following the first day of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-County three-day competition which commenced on Tuesday.
The Everest Ground was lit-up by the talented right-hander who imposed himself unto the National U-17 select team which saw Demerara end day one on 445-8 from 97 overs.
Yadram played the punch of the back-foot well in his majestic knock (Akeem Greene Photo)
Yadram, who was among the top performers for the Windies team in the recently concluded ICC Youth World Cup in New Zealand, played a tempered innings inclusive of 26 fours and 14 sixes which trilled the decent crowd in attendance.
Mixed with aggression, the lad who hails from Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, broke the previous highest of 193 set by current Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson in 2004 for Demerara against Essequibo at Bourda.
Earlier, Demerara’s innings started in rapid pace thanks to Adrian Hinds’ brisk fifty. The youngster was unfortunate to be dismissed just six shy of a well-deserved ton as he perished to nifty leg-spinner Niron Bissu, caught by all-rounder Sheldon Charles at point.
Leg-spinner Niron Bissu was the most effective bowler for the National U-17 select team (Akeem Greene Photo)
His 10 fours and one six added significant impetus to the team’s momentum, given the cheap dismissals of his opening partner Robin Williams who scored 20 and vice-captain Sagar Hetheramani who was trapped Leg before wicket by seamer Seon Glasgow for a boundary-less 15.
Then out walked the star of day who flexed his muscles by exposing the inexperience of the bowlers; with the exception of Bissu who ended the day with 4-60 from 20 overs.
His timing and use of feet against the spinners was accurate as he bullied the opposition bowlers into submission. Bissu somehow kept his nerve for a spinner amidst the carnage as he made constant inroads.
Stephan Wilson (02) and Nikosie Beaton (01) succumbed to the guile of Bissu. By tea, Yadram was well past his ton but it was after play resumed that he upped the ante to race to 150.
What was 150 soon looked like 200 and Yadram with time on day one approaching, sped to his double century to much elation.
Dwain Dick played a good lower-order anchor role to score 30 with a few boundaries and a six before Nigel Deodat, who ended with two scalps; cleaned him up near the back-end of the innings.
Yadram further stepped on the gas as a few boundaries saw him end a majestic day of cricket; solid and unmoved off just 219 deliveries heading into today’s play just 40 runs shy of a possible triple.
Over at Lusignan Community Centre ground, Essequibo won the toss and decided to bat, however, their decision appeared insignificant as their batting line up struggled to cope with the Berbice bowlers, as they crumbled for a meagre 80 off 38 overs.
Quintin Sampson and national youth fast bowler, Joshua Jones scored 18 and 13 respectively. Bowling for Berbice, Karran Arjpaul return excellent figures of 3-3 while Keith Simpson (2-3) and Kevin Sinclair (3-6) gave support.
Berbice in their first innings, reached 149 for 3 off 55 overs at close of play on the first day. Opening batsman, Alex Algoo is unbeaten on 83. He gained good support from Kevlon Anderson with 36.
Action continues today from 10:00h.
