GCB/GTM Under-19 Three-Day …
THANKS to a controversial decision by the umpires, coupled with the head groundsman, who unfortunately is an Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) executive, Essequibo were able to hold on for a draw in their final encounter against defending champions Berbice at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground on Tuesday. Such a decision would have placed a smile across the faces of the Demerara team who defeated Essequibo inside two days in their first-round encounter and only need to draw their final match in the 2010 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/GTM Under-19 Inter-county three-day tournament against Berbice which commences today, weather permitting, to lift the title at the Police Sports Club ground on Saturday.
The Dexter Solomon-led side which includes pugnacious openers Quincy Ovid-Richardson and Shameer Fazal, along with the talented duo of Alex Ramalho and Kwame Crosse, will have to face up to the pace of first class fast bowler Keon Joseph, who bowled with minimum pace and aggression against Essequibo, and the lanky Raun Johnson.
Those two aside, Berbice also have in their lineup, Joemal La Fleur, Lloydel Lewis, Sherwin McPherson, skipper Harrinarine Chattergoon and national Under-15 skipper Shawn Pereira to rely on for bowling support.
But Demerara’s batting line-up can garner support from Clevon Hyman, Arif Habib, Christopher Surat, left-arm fast bowler Andre Stoll who struck a whirlwind half-century against Essequibo, Solomon, Amir Khan and national Under-19 fast bowler Seon Daniels.
The bowling will be taken care of by former West Indies Under-15 leg-spinner Khan and McPherson who are the lone bowlers to have taken more than five wickets in an innings. Khan is expected to receive amicable support from Daniels, Stoll, Daryl Ross, Surat and Georgetown Cricket Club’s left-arm orthodox spinner Raj Nanan.
Berbice, whose preparation for this tournament outweighs that of the other two counties by miles, underwent two separate competitions, arranged by the Berbice Cricket Board, simultaneously, before the final 14 was selected.
Both Chattergoon and La Fleur displayed such in their team’s controversial second-innings runs chase against the Cinderella County who had taken a slim six-run first-innings lead before being bowled out 45 minutes after lunch on the final day.
They responded to the Essequibians’ bowling attack with vengeance, with worthy support from Jamally Odle, even though opener Rafael Estriado failed to get going on both occasions and certainly coach Hubern Evans would be hoping he turns up to the party in this match with all guns blazing, as a worthy contribution from him would be welcomed with open arms by the Ancient County team.  
From his days as a national Under-15 batsman for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Dominic Rikhi has displayed the temperament to bat for long periods and post a worthy total, hence his first innings top score of 66 made while batting at number three, spoke volumes of a 17-year-old who opted not to lead the team as he felt his batting would be of tremendous importance to their cause instead.
Lewis, McPherson, Pereira and wicketkeeper/batsman Andy Mohan are useful customers with the bat, with both Pereira and Lewis handling with ease the bowling which included short-pitched deliveries from national Under-19 fast bowler Ronsford Beaton.
There have been  five half-centuries scored in the tournament so far, with Crosse, Stoll, Rikhi, Habib and La Fleur being the batsmen to do so while Khan is the lone bowler to take 10 wickets in a match so far, after scalping 11-64 against Essequibo.
The toss will be an important factor in this fixture which will be under the control of Andrew Allen and G. Sookdeo respectively with K. Baker being asked to perform the duties of third umpire, as both teams will be looking to pose a huge first innings total on a wicket that is conducive enough for fast bowling at certain times of the day.
Teams will be chosen from:
Demerara: Dexter Solomon, Amir Khan, Quincy Ovid-Richardson, Shameer Fazal, Kwame Crosse, Clevon Hyman, Arif Habib, Raj Nanan, Delroy Charles, Daryl Ross, Andre Stoll, Seon Daniels, Alex Ramalho and Christopher Surat. Coach Gavin Nedd and Manager Orin Hutson.
Berbice: Harrinarine Chattergoon, Dominic Rikhi, Rafael Estriado, Joemal La Fleur, Andrew Dennis, Clinton Pestano, Sherwin McPherson, Andy Mohan, Lloydel Lewis, Mark Lionel, Jamally Odle, Shawn Pereira, Raun Johnson and Keon Joseph. Coach Hubern Evans and Manager Julian Cambridge.