Opener Khush Seegobin fell five runs short of a double hundred as Georgetown inflicted a sound thrashing on East Bank, while skipper Shahid Ramzan starred with bat and ball to lead the Select XI to an exciting victory over West Demerara in round two of the Demerara Cricket Board’s ‘Next Generation’ Inter-Association Under-15, 50-over competition.
Seegobin goes big
Seegobin slammed a superb 195 on Wednesday to lead Georgetown to a commanding 433-run win over East Bank.
Playing at the Farm ground on the East Bank of Demerara, Georgetown piled up a mammoth 472-5 from the allotted 50 overs and then dismissed East Bank for a paltry 39.
The right-handed Seegobin stroked 21 fours and six sixes in a memorable innings, which spanned 129 balls before he was run out with a double hundred in sight.
It was the second hundred of this year’s competition, following Nathan Bishop’s sparkling 140 for Georgetown against the Select XI in the first round at the Queen’s College ground.
Seegobin and the talented left-hander Lomar Seecharran, who made 64 off 49 (11x4s, 1×6), laid the foundation for the mammoth total by adding 128 for the first wicket.
Makai Dowlin, the son of former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Travis Dowlin, also cashed in on the run-fest, hitting 71 (6x4s), while Reyaz Latiff made 29* off 18 (4x4s) and Mickel Johnson 23* off 19 (2x4s).
In reply, the East Bank lads found the pace of new-ball pair Afraz Khan and Prosper Jacobus too hot to handle, as their innings lasted only 10.2 overs.
Khan impressed with 5-13 off five overs, while Jacobus picked up 4-26 off 5.2. It was Georgetown’s second victory in the competition, which is being used to select the Demerara team for the Under-15 Inter-county competition in 2025.
Ramzan steals the show with ball, then bat
Over at the Transport ground, skipper of the Select XI Shahid Ramzan turned in a brilliant all-round performance to lead his side to an exciting three-wicket win over West Demerara.
Ramzan first starred with the ball, snaring 3-14 off six economical overs of off-spin, Roscoe Anderson picked up 3-2 off 1.3 overs and the impressive new ball bowler Jasani Craig bagged 2-26 as West Demerara were bowled out for 95 in 32.3 overs.
Saurav Persaud and Hezekiah Hohenkirk picked up a wicket apiece as only Jaaziah Singh with 31 (3x4s) got into double-figures. Extras were 36.
Select XI, in reply, were rocked early by West Demerara skipper Patrice Fraser, who picked up three wickets in a fiery opening spell of fast bowling.
With wickets falling around him, the left-handed Ramzan kept his composure to guide his team to victory, sealing the match with a crisp drive through the off-side for four.
The Georgetown Cricket Club player ended unbeaten on a solid 45 (7x4s) and duly cop the Player-of-the-Match award.
Craig also played a crucial hand of 10 not out (2x4s), adding a vital 25 runs unbroken for the eight wicket with Ramzan to ensure Select XI took maximum points from the match.
The successful run-chase was completed in 25.4 overs. Extras were 33.
The competition will continue on Thursday (November 21) with third round games featuring the Select XI against East Bank at the Farm ground and East Coast versus West Demerara at the LBI ground.
Georgetown, with two wins from two games, has drawn the bye this round.
Matches will start at 09:00h.