… Singh and Johnson lead Invitational XI fightback
NATIONAL wicketkeeper/batsman Derwin Christian struck a whirlwind half-century for his side, but discarded middle-order batsmen Gajanand Singh and Leon Johnson both struck unbeaten half-centuries to lead the Invitational XI fightback at the end of the second day of their three-day practice match at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Resuming at their overnight 302-4, with Narsingh Deonarine (62) and Assad Fudadin (111), the National XI declared their innings closed at 14:09 h with the scoreboard reading 444-8 declared, thanks to Christian’s breezy 84 (60 balls, 8×4; 6×6), while Fudadin retired on 152.

After seeing Christopher Barnwell (0) dismissed by the very first ball of their innings, followed by Rajendra Chandrika (16) and Krishna Arjune (19), both Singh and Johnson joined forces at 45-3 and at the close of play, they took the score to 179-3 with Singh on 79 and Johnson, who was battling cramps minutes before the close of play, 52.

But it was Christian who stole the spotlight for the National XI, after joining forces with Fudadin following the early demise of Deonarine who was caught by Barnwell off Trevon Garraway (1-116) after adding a mere one to his overnight score of 61, hitting three fours and four sixes from the 70 deliveries he faced in total.

Christian adopted a no-nonsense approach to the Invitational XI, hitting Johnson back over his head for a maximum, followed by two more off the bowling of Steven Jacobs (1-32) and Dion Ferrier (1-73), while Steven Latcha (1-105) also came in for some stick from his willow, as he was struck for a four and a six off successive deliveries.

He was rather unfortunate to be given out caught and bowled off Jacobs from a delivery which certainly struck the ground on its way back to the bowler, but at his demise, he had ensured 123 runs were added for the sixth wicket with Fudadin from just 20 overs.

From 430-6 when Christian fell, the National side slipped to their eventual total of 444-8 before the declaration, losing Veerasammy Permaul (1) and Esaun Crandon (2) in the process. Fudadin faced 262 balls and struck 19 fours and three sixes before retiring.

Newcomer Trevor Benn and Devendra Bishoo were the not-out batsmen on 5 each at the declaration, while Barnwell took 3-58, having not bowled a delivery on the second day.

When the Invitational XI began their reply, Barnwell was adjudged lbw to Esaun Crandon (2-35) off the first delivery, while Arjune responded by hitting his first delivery from the same bowler through midwicket for four.

A Chandrika square drive off the lively Brandon Bess (1-54), was given the tag of ‘shot of the day’ by those gathered in their small numbers to witness what may be the final practice match before the team depart for their first game against Trinidad and Tobago next Tuesday.

But just when he seemed settled against a bowling attack that looked ordinary in the dying stages of the game, he got a thin edge through to Christian off Crandon after crafting out a pugnacious 16 from nine deliveries, with two fours.

Arjune was also looking good, hitting Bess, who was either too short or at times over pitching his deliveries, through extra cover for two of his three fours in his 19, before he pulling a short delivery from the same bowler to Esaun Crandon at wide fine leg.

But that was to be the last hurrah for the National XI, as Johnson joined forces with Singh and together they set about repairing the damage done by the opening bowlers, with resilient shots of their own.

Singh, who was earlier given a life by Travis Dowlin at second slip off Esaun Crandon, punished anything short from Bess with two fours which were struck between midwicket and mid on, followed by a deft flick to fine leg.

He reached his half-century from 52 deliveries, counting seven fours in the process while Johnson joined the act with an exquisitely timed extra cover drive off Benn for four, followed by an authoritative drive through extra cover off Esaun Crandon.

He followed it up with two sixes over long on off Deonarine and Permaul respectively, as he reached his 50 from 78 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes in the process and even though he was bothered by cramps in his right leg just before the close, he fought it off to be there with Singh.

Play is expected to resume at 10:00 h today and unless something miraculous happens, this match, which was expected to be filled with aggression, especially from the National XI, will peter out into a tame draw.