The Guyana Cricket Board-organised, Igloo Ice Cream-sponsored Under-17 Inter-County 50-over tournament started this week with wins for Demerara and Berbice.
The four-team competition continues to target potential national players from the three counties Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara, along with the Guyana Select Under-15 team. This year the Guyana Select Under-15 squad comprises 20 talented players from across the country.
At the GCC ground, Bourda, Demerara competing against the Guyana Select Under-15 team, won the toss and batted, compiling 168-9 off their allotted 50 overs. This aggregate appeared somewhat disappointing, as many of the batsmen started out fairly good, but were unable to build solid scores.
Demerara, with the score on 19, lost Rajendra Singh in the fourth over, driving roguishly off of medium pacer Travon Charles at extra cover. Alphius Bookie then followed, adjudged leg before to Hemraj Harrilall for 13, while Navindra Persaud was bowled by Andre Seepersaud for 17.
Pradesh Balkishun was then dismissed via the run out route for 18, after some level of poor communication between himself and Hemnauth Dindya. Dindyal and Jeremiah Scott then added 37 for the fifth wicket before Hemraj had Scott caught and bowled, to leave the Demerara score on 117-5.
From this stage it seemed very unlikely that Demerara would be able to post a score beyond the 200 mark, as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Wicketkeeper, Kester McAllister was given out leg before off the bowling of Daveanand Khemraj, while Qumar Torrington was dismissed by Sheldon Charles for 11.
Bowling for the Guyana Select Under-15, Sheldon Charles grabbed 3-39, left-arm spinner Hemraj Harrilall 2-26, while a wicket apiece went to Travon Charles, Andre Seepersaud and Daveanand Khemraj.
In reply, the Guyana Select Under-15 made a valiant effort to reach 148 all out off 49.3 overs. Richardo Ramdehol top score with 43, Sheldon Charles made 21 and Daveanand Khemraj 16.
Bowling for Demerara, Qumar Torrington grabbed 3-37, Andrew Samaroo 3-21 and Balkishun 3-13. Demerara won by 20 runs. Balkishun was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his superb bowling.
Over at Everest, opener Alex Algu stroke an entertaining 81 with eight fours and three sixes, which eventually steered Berbice to 215 all out in 49.1 overs. Algu received support from Kevin Omroa with 26. Bowling for Essequibo, Lance Roberts 2-22, Badesh Parasotam 2-33 and Reyaz Khan 2-51.
In reply, Essequibo were only able to muster 100 runs off 28.5 of their allotted overs. Lance Roberts top scored with 28, Dovendra Mohan 20 and Orlando Jailall 17.
Bowling for Berbice, Gevon Shultz took 4-21, Kevin Omroa 3-21 and Nigel Deodat 2-28. Berbice won by 115 runs. Alex Algu claimed the Man-of-the-Match award for his brilliant 81.
In round two on Thursday, Demerara will oppose Essequibo at the GCC ground, Bourda, while Berbice will take on the Guyana Select Under-15 at the Everest ground.
Play in both matches will commence at 09:30h.
