— Suknanan grabs 7 at Bourda the responsibility of the ICC
West Demerara continued their winning ways with a demolition of West Berbice by a mammoth margin of an innings and 225 inside two days as action in the third round of the Jaguars Premier League continued on Friday.
Played at the Young Warriors Ground at Cumberland, West Demerara resuming on their overnight score of 276/5 reached 369/9 before declaring with a healthy lead of 338. Travis Persaud made 39, Kemol Savory 28 and Rishi Looknauth finished on 22 not out. On day one, left-handed Barbadian Raymon Reifer had struck 119, skipper Akshaya Persaud made 73 and Safraz Esau 54. Bowling for West Berbice, Brandon Bess returning to cricket after a lengthy lay-off took 2/33, Javed Karim claimed 2/46 while Kevin Jawahir had 2/104.
West Berbice began their second innings facing a deficit of 339 and feared better than in their first innings with a disappointing 114 all out. Kevin Jawahir scored 45 as Askhaya Persaud picked up 4/30 while Rishi Looknauth had 3/45.
Also in Berbice at Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne took a vital first innings lead over table toppers Lower Corentyne. Upper Corentyne resumed day two on 133/5 replying to 162 made by Lower Corentyne and were eventually bundled out for 220. Rajiv Ivan made 62 on day one.
Lower Corentyne then fell for 205 all out in their second innings with Surujnarine Kandasammy top scoring for the second time in the match with 86 while Jonathan Foo made 40 and David Latchaya struck 49. Eon Hooper was the chief destroyer again with his second five wicket haul of the match, claiming 5/48, Omesh Mathura had 3/23 while Clinton Pestano took 2/20. Hooper finished with 10/66 in the match.
In the city, some irresponsible shot selections due to the lack of patience saw 11 wickets falling to spinners in the match between Georgetown and East Coast on Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, Bourda. Under some four and a half hours a total of 13 wickets fell after play was afforded for the first time in the match at 13:00 hours on the second day.
East Coast won the toss and opted to bat in humid condition, losing Bhaskar Yadram for two caught by wicket keeper Dexter Solomon off the bowling of Christopher Barnwell with the score also on two. Discarded national player Chanderpaul Hemraj walked in at three and he along with the talented Gavin Boodwah pushed the score to 70 in a partnership worth 68 runs.
Boodwah was the second wicket to fall trapped leg before wicket to Gajanand Suknanan for 40 after facing 70 deliveries. Boodwah’s demise open the gates for Suknanan who ripped through East Coast’s innings to finish with outstanding figures of 7-37 from 12.3 economical and accurate overs. The visitors were bowled out for 148.
Whenever the right hand off spinner bowls again he will be in line to pick up a hat trick as he removed Gavin Moriah and Jermaine Martin in successive deliveries to close East Coast’s innings. The East Coast side which comprises several current and former national youth players as well as two first class players was no match for Suknanan, who delivered with great control and spin as he mesmerized all the batsmen that came into his path.
Besides Boodwah’s top score knock for East Coast, Ramnarine Chatura (30), Chanderpaul Hemraj (24) and Amir Khan determine knock of 14 not out chipped in. While Barnwell, left arm spinner Devon Lord and Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed collected a wicket each for Georgetown.
In reply the host raced to 34 without loss as Robin Bacchus and Andrew Lyght Jr. took the attack to the opponent’s bowlers. However, the introduction of spin immediately brought a wicket as Lyght was given out LBW to part time spinner Hemraj off of his first ball in his spell. His cameo of 25 lasted 20 balls and included three fours and a six.
Shortly after Lyght’s dismissal, Ovid Richardson, who batted at number three was bowled by another occasional spinner Vivian Albert for four. With the close approaching, Albert struck again as Robin Bacchus flicked a catch to Steven Sankar, who held on at midwicket.
Night watchmen Lord (14 not out) and Suknanan (two not out) fought hard to survive five overs to see their team to the close. Suknanan was dropped twice, once by the wicket keeper and the other at first slip.
On day three, the action will resume at 9:00h to make up for time lost. At the moment, Georgetown trail by 85 runs with seven first innings wickets in hand.
At Everest Cricket Club Ground, the entire second day was lost due to wet out field caused by rain on Thursday. On the first day Essequibo began their innings and at 8-1 rain forced a premature end to proceedings.
Weather permitting, the action will also begin at 09:00h at Everest.
