Clements unbeaten 143 rescues Lower Corentyne

By Rajiv Bisnauth

DEVON Clements produced an innings of pure maturity and determination, and it was was the highlight on day one of the sixth round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament between Lower Corentyne and West Demerara, played yesterday at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.Displaying his wide array of strokes, Clements rescued his team from a perilous position, and annihilated the hosts’ attack with a dazzling unbeaten 143, which eventually took the visitors to 325.
All told, Clements innings spanned 226 minutes, 229 balls, inclusive 16 fours and five sixes.
In reply West Demerara reached 22 without loss. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Chabriraj Ramcharran will resume on 10 and 8 respectively, and left with much work to do in this must-win game for the hosts.
Earlier, no such enterprise was envisioned when the visitors slumped to 111-5 at lunch, undermined by a three-wicket burst from clinical Romario Shepherd, who finished with 5-60.
The strongly built seamer started the rout when he had Sharaz Ramcharran caught at gully by Safraz Esau without scoring, off the fifth ball of the innings.
Jonathan Foo joined the other opening batsman Kandasammy Surujnarine and together kept the hosts’ attack at bay for almost an hour, adding 51 runs for the second wicket. Foo seemed intent on counter-attacking, hitting five stylish fours and two huge sixes.
However, Shepherd returned for his second spell and right away had Foo edging to wicketkeeper Kemol Savory for 43. Two balls later, it became 51-3 after Gajanand Singh was never allowed to settle, and was taken by Chanderpaul off the lively Shepherd.
Off-spinner Richie Looknauth (2-34), completed an excellent session for the hosts when he prised out Surujnarine (18) and Royston Crandon (11).
The visitors needed someone to come to the rescue, and Seon Hetymer and Clements battled back after the lunch interval.
With the sun beating down, conditions changed, and batting became somewhat easier. Both batsmen settled in nicely and built a partnership of 90 for the sixth wicket.
However, on 49, Shepherd trapped Hetmyer leg-before wicket, but by then the pair had done the rescue act.
By the tea interval, Clements progressed to 68 in company of Hakeem Hinds.
Clements showed a lot of composure to reach his landmark off 189 balls. However, Hinds (21) was caught at the wicket off Shepherd, at 265-7.
Left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (3-88) then claimed the final three wickets of Kassim Khan (8), Raun Johnson (0) and Nial Smith (6).
Meanwhile, summarised scores from the other three games are as follows:
At Everest: Upper Corentyne were dismissed for 222 on the back of a shot-filled 92 from Assad Fudadin which came off just 99 balls. Clinton Pestano supported well with 49. Bowling for East Bank Demerara, Steven Jacobs took 4-97, Stephan Harris had 3-57 and Budan Baksh claimed 2-19. East Bank Demerara in reply, were 75-4 at the close of play with Danny Narayan on 30 not out. Eon Hooper has so far taken 2-8.
At Cumberland, Berbice: Georgetown won the toss and batted first, reaching 243 all out, off just 53 overs. Captain Christopher Barnwell top-scored with 91, while Dexter Solomon, Sunil Persaud, Robin Bacchus and Andrew Lyght Jr supported with 42, 28, 25 and 23 respectively. Bowling for West Berbice, Keron Fraser took 5-84, Collis Butts 3-36 and A Dutchin 2-32.
In reply, West Berbice reached 103 for 9 off 32 overs, with Andrew Dutchin scoring 36 and Leon Andrews 19. Christopher Barnwell, Devon Lord, Gajanan Suknanan and Kellon Carmichael have so far taken 2 wickets apiece.
At Imam Bacchus ground: East Coast Demerara made 316 all out with Guyana Under-19 batsman Bhaskar Yadram stroking 118. Kamesh Yadram made 61 and Ameer Khan scored 58. Bowling for Essequibo, Akinie Adams took 6-53.
Essequibo in reply are 40-2 at the close of play.