… Browne and Fazal score half-centuries for Police
FORMER national opening batsman Krishna Arjune stole the spotlight on a rain-shortened first day, when third round action in the Demerara zone of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-organised and sponsored first division three-day competition continued yesterday.

At the Lusignan Community Centre (LCC) ground, Police Sports Club’s Rowel Browne and Shameer Fazal both struck half- centuries as they rescued their team with a 124-run second-wicket partnership.

Playing for the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports Club in their encounter against Everest Cricket Club at Camp Road, Arjune struck an unbeaten 133 that was decorated with seven fours to steer GNIC who were asked to take first strike, to 247-3 at the end of the first day’s play.

David Dick, who scored an unbeaten ton in his team’s last game, offered support to Arjune with his unbeaten 46 (1×4) while national Under-17 opener Quincy Ovid-Richardson and Elton Baker supported with 36 and 25 respectively against the bowling of Rakesh Goberdhan who has so far taken 2-47 for Everest.

At the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) ground, recalled national wicketkeeper/batsman Derwin Christian struck six maximums and one four in his unbeaten 44, to steer his team Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to 143-2 at the close of play.

Earlier, national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell hit six fours in his 41 while Deonauth Baksh is unbeaten with Christian at the close of play on 35 (4×4) against the bowling of Demerara’s left-arm orthodox spinner Damian Van Tull who has taken 2-27 for MSC.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, visitors Transport Sports Club (TSC) who won the toss and opted to take first strike must have regretted doing so as they ended the day on 79-4, of which Kevin Alphonso’s 28 along with Stephen Alves’ 21 and Chandra Persaud’s unbeaten 16 were the principal scores.

At the Lusignan Community Centre ground, Police Sports Club’s Rawle Browne continued his fine form with the bat this season, blasting 10 fours and one six in his 75 and, along with former national Under-15 opener Shameer Fazal (71; 5×4), enabled PSC to reach 233-7 at the close of play.

The two added 124 for the second after opener Troy Benn (0) was dismissed off the very first delivery of the match, with Browne, who blasted an even century off only 42 balls in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/BUSTA Twenty20 second division competition, showing no mercy to the young fast bowler Sudesh Deosarran.

At the close of play, Trevor Benn and Pernell London were unbeaten on 25 and 23 respectively, while off-spinners Azib Haniff and Vishnu Ramjeet has so far taken 3-36 and 2-40 respectively for LSC.

The match between New Line Aqua Farm and Nandy Park did not bowl off, as the latter team did not show up, after they were told by one of the umpires that the game was called off for reasons unknown.