U-15 Inter-County: Latif (7-20) spins Demerara to huge win over Select XI

A majestic spell of bowling from spinner Reyaz Latif fired defending champions Demerara to a commanding 181-run win over the Select XI on Tuesday when the Guyana Cricket Board’s Inter-County Under-15, 50-over competition bowled off at the Lusignan ground.

In the other first round match at the LBI ground, Berbice defended what seemed like a below-par total against Essequibo to kickstart their tournament with a W.

Latif steals the show after Jacobus and Henry revive Demerara

SUMMARY: Demerara 246-9 from 50 overs (Prosper Jacobus 53*, Brandon Henry 46, Nathan Bishop 23, Joshua Colette 16*, Reyaz Latif 14, Makai Dowlin 14, Lomar Seecharran 13, Shahid Ramzan 10; Joshua Thomas 3-46, Tyrese McPherson 2-32, Satindra Shiwdarsan 1-19, Jagdesh Kalpoo 1-19, Balraj Narine 1-21) vs Select XI 65 all out from 19.4 overs (Akash Ramdewar 17, Arav Sukhram 11; Reyaz Latif 7-20, Patrice Fraser 3-11)

Select XI, chasing a daunting 247, succumbed meekly for 65 in 19.4 overs in searing heat at Lusignan.

Demerara’s premier fast bowler and Vice-captain Patrice Fraser started the procession of batsmen to and from the pavilion with a three-wicket burst in a lively opening spell, with Joshua Collette sustaining the pressure from the other end.

Fraser picked up 3-11 off six overs.

Once Fraser and Collette completed the quota of ‘fast bowling’ overs at the start of the innings, as stipulated in the playing condition, it was all the Latif show as the ‘leggie’ ripped through the Select XI batting to finish with 7-20 off 4.4 overs.

Latif maintained an immaculate line and length throughout his match-winning spell, which unfolded in the presence of his father Richard, a local cricket icon.

“I feel really great,” Latif told News Room Sport after his memorable spell.

“I’m looking forward to getting more five-fer in the rest of Inter-county matches and move on to the Guyana team and do well.”

In the face of Latif and Fraser’s brilliant bowling, only Akash Ramdewar with 17 and Arav Sukhram (11) got into double-figures for the Select XI, whose captain Balraj Narine earlier called correctly at the toss and opted to bowl first.

The move paid off immediately as opener Khush Seegobin was run out without scoring and soon enough Demerara were struggling at 97-7 and on the verge of being bowled out way before the 50 overs were completed.

Lomar Seecharran (13), Nathan Bishop (23), Shahid Ramzan (10), Latif (14), Makai Dowlin (14) and Vinesh Kalpoo (1) were back in the hut early, before the lower-order put up a superb recovery effort that sapped the energy out of the Select XI.

Skipper Brandon Henry and Fraser first added 30 for the eighth wicket, with latter’s contribution being just four.

Henry and Prosper Jacobus then stitched together 63 for the ninth wicket, before Jacobus and last-man Collette added an unbeaten 56 to frustrate the Select XI.

The left-handed Jacobus mixed aggression with calculated strokeplay in a fine unbeaten 53 off 67 balls (5x4s), his first-ever half-century.

Henry played a responsible captain’s knock of 46 off 60 balls (4x4s), while Collette made a run-a-ball 16 not out (1×4).

“It feels very nice,” Jacobus told News Room Sport after attaining a batting milestone in his young career.

“The coaches just told me to put my best foot forward, play my natural game and just bat.”

Bowling for the Select XI, left-arm ‘chinaman’ bowler Joshua Thomas took 3-46 and Tyrese McPherson 2-32, while there was one each for Narine, Jagdesh Kalpoo and Satindra Shiwdarsan.

Berbice bowlers deliver win against Essequibo

SUMMARY: Berbice 132 from 36 overs (Luke Amsterdam 40, Arif Bacchus 36, Saiad Jumratty 11; Shazim Mohamed 5-18, Jathneil Nurse 2-15) vs Essequibo 106 all out from 34.5 overs (Bomesh Lall 20, Darrius Pearson 11; Richard Ramdeholl and Ravindra Persaud three wickets each, Leon Reddy 2-12, Veto Gomes 1-19)

In a more balanced contest at LBI, Berbice defend their total of 132 to win by 26 runs against Essequibo in a low-scoring contest.

The Berbicians were bowled out in 36 overs with Luke Amsterdam making a top score of 40 and Arif Bacchus scoring 36.

Saiad Jumratty was the only other player into double-figures with 11, as Shazim Mohamed picked up 5-18 and Jathneil Nurse 2-15.

Essequibo lost wickets at regular intervals during the run-chase, being dismissed for 106 in 34.5 overs.

Richard Ramdeholl and Ravindra Persaud bagged three wickets apiece, Leon Reddy took 2-12 and Veto Gomes 1-19.

Bomesh Lall (20) and Darrius Pearson (11) were the leading scorers for Essequibo.

Tournament fixtures (all matches bowl off at 09:30h)

February 25: Demerara vs Select XI at Lusignan (Demerara won by 181 runs)

February 25: Berbice vs Essequibo at LBI (Berbice won by 26 runs)

February 26: Demerara vs Essequibo at LBI

February 26: Berbice vs Select XI at Lusignan

February 28: Berbice vs Demerara at LBI

February 28: Essequibo vs Select XI at Lusignan

This tournament is being used by the National Junior Selection Panel of the Guyana Cricket Board to select the Guyana team to compete in the Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Regional Under-15 Championship 2025 in Antigua in April.