..Fudadin, Andrew Lyght (Jnr) also register tons on day 2

By Rajiv Bisnauth
AN awe-inspiring innings from West Demerara’s Skipper,Akshaya Persaud,made day two of the sixth round Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament,between Lower Corentyne and West Demerara,his own by bludgeoning his way to a 165-ball 155,yesterday at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.The hosts were bowled out just before the close in the final session for 329, a first innings lead of four, in reply to Lower Corentyne’s 325,on day one.
Lower Corentyne will start their second innings this morning, after bad light prevented further play at the close of West Demerara first innings.
It was a breathtaking innings by Persaud,who unleashed a flurry of strokes on both sides of the wicket to leave the visitors in a daze. Overall,he stroked 13 fours and nine sixes.
Earlier, West Demerara lost both overnight batsmen within the first half hour of play, but Akshaya showed immense maturity with two vital partnerships.
The host started the second day on 22 without loss,and went to lunch at 188-4, with Persaud on 89.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to be dismissed,when he lofted a simple catch to Raun Johnson at mid-on off the bowling of Royston Crandon for 10 before his fellow opening partner Chabriraj Ramcharran was then removed by Johnson for 13.
The task ahead was a gigantic one when Safraz Esau and Persaud joined forces together, with the host still 285 runs adrift of their first innings target.
It was bound to be a tough assignment, but the duo played sensibly and exposed the visitors attack somewhat with an 84-run third-wicket stand.
The pair did not allow the bowlers to settle down and were quick to punish any loose deliveries.
However, after hitting five sweetly timed boundaries and a six, Esau was removed by off-spinner Sharaz Ramcharran for 36.
The 19-year-old Persaud,who kept on batting unperturbed,was joined by Raymond Reifer, and the pair shared a fourth-wicket stand of 58 before Reifer was removed by Gajanand Singh for 34, on the stroke of lunch.
With eleven short of his landmark, Persaud continued to flow along nicely in company with Travis Persaud,and reached his hundred with his fifth six,off Kassim Khan just after the interval.
His hundred came up off 119 balls, with nine fours and five sixes.
What makes Persaud’s effort even more praiseworthy is that he maintained his composure almost all through his innings.
However, at 13:08hrs,a sharp shower stopped play, but by then Persaud had progressed to 135, while his partner was on 11.
When play finally recommenced at 15:35hrs, Ramcharran made significant inroads, claiming the wickets of Travis Persaud (11), Romario Shephard (2), Akshaya Persaud,and Mahendra Dhanpaul (6), while Nail Smith removed Kemol Savory,and Deven Clements accounted for Keshram Seyhodan (5). Ramcharran finished with figures of 5-51.
Meanwhile, summarised scores from the other games are as follows:
At Everest: East Bank Demerara, resuming at their overnight score of 75/4,eventually declared with the total on 97/9. Danny Narayan was dismissed without addition to his overnight score of 30. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Eon Hooper claimed his fourth 5 wicket haul of the competition ;claiming 5/13,while Keon Sinclair took 3/29.
Upper Corentyne,in their second innings,were led by Assad Fudadin who followed up his first innings 92 with an unbeaten century to lead his team to 286/7 declared. He finished on 101 not out which included (10×4’s).
All-rounder Clinton Pestano made an attacking 84 with (4×4’s) and (7×6’s),while Jason Sincalir made 45 including (7×4’s). Bowling for East Bank Demerara, Steven Jacobs took 4/69,and sherfane Rutherford 3/50.
East Bank Demerara are 24/2 at the close of play,chasing 412 for an outright victory.
At Imam Bacchus ground: Essequibo rattled up 484 all out. Rayon Fredericks top scored with 87 while Kemo Paul struck 82, Ricardo Adams 73, Avinash Persaud 72 and Anthony Adams hit 61. Bowling for East Coast Demerara, Steven Sankar claimed 5/152 and Ameer Khan 2/73.
East Coast Demerara were 2/1 at the close of play.
At Cumberland:West Berbice were dismissed for 113,in reply to Georgetown’s first innings 243. Andrew Dutchin top scored with 36. Bowling for Georgetown, Gajanan Suknanan had 3/25, Christopher Barnwell and Kellon Carmichael took 2/18 apiece,and Devon Lord 2/24.
Georgetown,in their second innings,rattled up 308/6 declared with Andrew Lyght Jnr. making a blistering 119 while Sunil Singh made 52, Robin Bacchus 50 and Kellon Carmichael 26 not out, being the principle scorers. Keyron Fraser had 2/49 and Dutchin claimed 2/103.
West Berbice ended the day at 112/2,chasing 439 for victory. Avishkar Sewkarran is on 59 not out.