Lord (4-28), Chanderpaul (63*) lead Demerara to commanding win over Berbice

A superb spell of spin bowling from Devon Lord and another unbeaten knock from opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul powered Demerara to a commanding seven-wicket win over Berbice in Round Two of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Inter-County 50-over Championship on Tuesday.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, Berbice posted a paltry 129 all out from 40 overs and defending champions Demerara powered to victory with as many as 22 overs to spare.

Demerara got an early scare in the run-chase when off-spinner Junior Sinclair trapped opener Raymond Perez leg before without scoring off the fourth ball and seamer Clinton Pestano dismissed skipper Tevin Imlach in similar fashion to make it 4-2.

The in-form Chanderpaul then took control of the chase, in partnership with fellow Guyana Harpy Eagles teammate Matthew Nandu, as Demerara batted Berbice out of the contest.

The left-handed pair added 120 for the third wicket in exactly 25 overs with Chanderpaul playing an up-tempo innings and Nandu offering dogged support.

Chanderpaul, fresh off 102* off 135 against the Guyana Cricket Board’s Select XI two days ago, struck five fours and two sixes in a fluent 63* off 75 balls, while Nandu was more circumspect in his 44 off 83 (2x6s).

Akshaya Persaud ensured there was no drama after the dismissal of Nandu, striking a four in seven not out off five balls.

Lord takes control

Left-arm spinner Lord, playing on his home ground, produced another fine spell, taking 4-28 off nine overs as Berbice lost wickets at regular intervals.

The 29-year-old, who took 3-21 in his 10-over spell against the Select XI at the same venue, got solid support from Persaud (2-19), Banerd Bailey (2-25) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (2-35).

Sinclair topscored for Berbice with 37 off 42 (6x4s), while Tomani Caesar made 24* off 63 (1×6).

Crucially, Berbice lost its top-order Rampertab Ramnauth (0), Kevin Sinclair (3), Kevlon Anderson (2) and Jonathan Foo (3) cheaply in what was a must-win game to enhance their chances of making Saturday’s final.

A second straight defeat- they lost to Essequibo in the first round– means the Berbicians collectively have endured a torrid time this tournament.

On the other hand, a second consecutive win for Demerara puts them on course for a successful title defence.

Meanwhile, Lord, who now has the joint-most wickets in the tournament with Essequibo’s Ricardo Adams, spoke to News Room’s Avenash Ramzan after his exploits.

In the other Round Two game at Lusignan on Tuesday, the Guyana Cricket Board Select XI defeated Essequibo by four wickets.

SUMMARY: Essequibo 169 all out from 45.2 overs (Kemol Savory 51, Kevon Boodie 26, Ricardo Adams 24; Golcharran Chulai 3-45, Kwesi Mickle 2-18, Aryan Persaud 2-32, Jonathan Rampersaud 2-41) vs Guyana Cricket Board Select XI 171-6 from 46 overs (Jonathan Rampersaud 32, Carlos La Rose 28*, Navindra Persaud 26, Kwesi Mickle 19, Jonathan Van Lange 18; Ricardo Adams 2-27)

Third round action is slated for Thursday (October 17) with Demerara against Essequibo at GCC and Berbice against the Select XI at Lusignan.

The top two teams will clash in the final on Saturday (October 19) at GCC.

All games will start at 09:30h.