The first round of the 2019 Hand-in-Hand three-day Inter County tournament was filled with exceptional performances from the budding stars of Guyana’s cricket.
Berbician Alex Algoo racked up the highest score to date with a squash buckling 175 against the Select U-17 at Everest.
Berbice seeking to extend their overnight lead of 201, began the day on 292 for 4, with Algoo, looking to build on his unbeaten 119.
During the morning session, Algoo added another 56 runs before he was sent to the benches by Chandrapaul Ramraj (2-104).
Niran Bissu then skittled Junior Sinclair (42) and Jeetender Outar (6) to end with 2-90. Middle order batsmen Kevlon Anderson (53 off 67 balls) and Seon Glasgow (40 off 41 balls) batted aggressively in an attempt to increase Berbice’s chances of a victory.
Berbice declared their innings closed on 404 for 8, with a lead of 313.
With an enormous victory target, and the rain clouds set up, it appeared that a draw was inevitable.
The Select U17 team reached 39 for 3 when the rain came and stopped play.
Leon Swamy took all 3 wickets to fall for just 16 runs. The match ended in a draw after weather conditions did not permit the players to take to the field to continue play.
At Bourda, Essequibo, resuming their second innings on an overnight score of 155-9 from 59 overs, was only able to add one run, as the last wicket fell to Pradesh Balkeshun. Amit Persaud, who batted watchfully, remained unbeaten on 16.
Balkishun and Joel Spooner bowled viciously, to take 4-22 and 6-5. Spooner ended with 11-64.
Demerara, on the contrast, took a more aggressive approach to their second innings batting, to reach their victory target of 25 in just 4.3 overs for the loss of one wicket.
Robin Williams provided a more satisfying performance than in the first innings, with an unbeaten 18, while Sachin Singh 5, was the other not out batsman.
The second round starts Saturday at Lusignan with Essequibo battling Berbice while Select U-17 competes with Demerara at Bourda.
