West Indies Under-19 player Bhaskar Yadram and Alex Algoo made hay with the sunshine that was provided Wednesday to record two match-winning centuries as Demerara and the National Under-17 select squad recorded victories in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-In-Hand Insurance Under-19 inter-county 50-over tournament.
As play finally got underway after the entire first round was abandoned on account of rainfall on Monday, Yadram scored 121 not out to guide Demerara to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over archrivals Berbice at the National Stadium, while Algoo blasted 119 from just 72 balls in the National U-17 upset win against Essequibo at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.
In the Demerara versus Berbice clash, the hosts won the toss and invited the visitors to take first strike. The Ancient County side managed 197-9 in their allotted 50 overs, with Javed Karim top-scoring with 74 while Matthew Hardyal chipped in with 26. Renaldo Ali Mohamed was outstanding with the ball for the hosts, claiming 4-46 while Yadram took 3-36.
In reply, Demerara raced to 203-2 from 40 overs, with Yadram leading his team with 121 and receiving support from West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman selectee Joshua Persaud, who made 43. The pair added 98 for the second wicket after their team lost Raymond Perez for naught to all-rounder Karim.
Bhaskar Yadram on the go at Providence
Subsequent to Persaud’s dismissal, Gavin Boodwah (22 not out) joined forces with Yadram and the two took Demerara to victory without another casualty.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the day was Algoo’s scintillating innings which spearheaded his team to a mammoth total in 28 overs.
He struck nine fours and 10 sixes as he shared in an opening partnership worth 156 runs in just 19 overs with Sachin Singh, who was also in good form with 52 from 54 deliveries.
The U-17 squad eventually ended on 222-7 from 28 overs in the rain-reduced game as only Junior Sinclair (16) of the other batsmen reached double figures. Mahendra Persaud claimed 3-29 to finish as Essequibo’s best bowler.
In their response, the Cinderella County side fought hard to reach the target, but eventually fell short by 16 runs, finishing on 206-8 from 28 overs.
Navendra Persaud was their best batsman with 59, while Stephan Campbell (59) and Joshua Jones (33 from 19 balls) made significant contributions.
Jevon Schults and Junior Sinclair were the chief bowlers for the U-17 unit with three wickets apiece.
The tournament will continue today with two matches; at the National Stadium, defending champions Demerara will take on Essequibo, while Berbice will face the U-17 Squad at Everest Cricket Club Ground.
On Friday, the top two teams will feature in the final.
