GCB/GTM U-19 Limited overs competition..
WITH their protest following the controversial ending to their three- day match still pending by the Competitions Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), host Berbice face Essequibo in the first match of the 2010 GCB/GTM Under-19 limited overs Inter-county tournament at the Blairmont Community Centre ground today. Berbice who lost the three day title to their nemesis Demerara, after ending that version of the tournament with nine points, compared to Demerara’s 15 with Essequibo in the cellar position on six, will be looking to retain the limited overs title they won convincingly last year.
To this effect, three changes were made to the team that contested the three -day version of this year’s tournament, with wicketkeeper Collis Cort and middle- order batsman Kelvin Leitch and Kevin Ramdeen replacing Andy Mohan, Jamally Odle and Mark Lionel respectively.
With the inform Dominic Rikhi, skipper Harrinarine Chattergoon, Rafael Estriado and Joemal La Fleur in the fray along with the talented national Under-15 skipper Shawn Pereira, the Ancient County team should be starting this segment of the tournament as favorites, taking into consideration the performances of the other teams in the three day tournament.
Rikhi ended the three- day tournament with the highest aggregate as a batsman, finishing with 147 runs from his two outings at the wicket, at an average of 73.50 including two half centuries and he will be looking to continue in such a rich vein of form.
First class fast bowler Keon Joseph finally bowled with pace and gusto on a flat Eve Leary wicket last Saturday and with the vast improving Raun Johnson at the other end with the new ball, along with La Fleur’s ability to be economical in the first 15 overs, certainly Berbice’s work in the bowling department is cut out for them.
Chattergoon, Pereira, Lloydel Lewis and Sherwin Mc Pherson are all worthy customers with the ball in support to the above mentioned bowlers, Essequibo will need to work with their ‘A’ game in order to be competitive as manager Alvin Johnson requested of his team prior to the commencement of this year’s tournament.
The Cinderella County who is known as the perennial whipping boys of local cricket, has also made two changes to their side, replacing fast bowler Kevin Fredericks and batsman Vishnu Murray with Mark Tyrell and Rovi Harris, going for the extra batsman in Tyrell.
However, what should be of concern to the management team, is the batting and soft dismissals of skipper Herell Greene, who despite getting starts, keeps gifting his wicket away well when set and he along with his batsmen would need to put their heads down and build partnerships if they intend to defeat Berbice today and to an extent go onto win the tournament.
Tyrell, Harris, Christopher Blucher, Kevin Boodie, Anthony Adams, Vijay Surajpaul, Ricardo Adams, Neil Ramalho and Ravendra Mohabir are no rabbits with the bat in hand, but apart from Anthony Adams to a lesser extent Boodie and Blucher, they have left others thinking otherwise.
There is no doubt or question mark over the bowling of the Cinderella county lads this year, as it has been very effective, led by national Under-19 fast bowler Ronsford Beaton who received amicable support from vice captain Anthony and national Under-15 vice captain Ricardo Adams respectively.
Mohabir, who was troubled by a no ball problem when they faced Demerara, rebounded to contribute heavily to the bowling department in Berbice’s first innings and along with Surajpaul and Tulsiram Premnauth, is expected to offer support to Beaton and the Adams’.
M. Singh and K. Baker are the officials in charge of this fixture which gets underway at 09:30h weather permitting, with G. D’ Aguair being the third official, with the final eleven for both teams being chosen from:
Berbice; Harrinarine Chattergoon (captain), Joemal La Fleur, Shawn Pereira, Dominic Rikhi, Rafael Estriado, Keon Joseph, Raun Johnson, Collis Cort, Kelvin Leitch, Kevin Ramdeen, Clinton Pestano, Sherwin Mc Pherson, Lloydel Lewis and Andrew Dennis.
Essequibo; Herell Greene (captain), Anthony Adams, Mark Tyrell, Rovi Harris, Ronsford Beaton, Ricardo Adams, Keron Mc Lennon, Ravendra Mohabir, Neil Ramalho, Tulsiram Premnauth, Kevin Boodie, Christopher Blucher, Seon Venture and Vijay Surajpaul.
Meanwhile, Demerara who will face Essequibo in the second round at the Anna Regina ground on Wednesday, have made four changes to their squad which won the three day tournament, with Mark Anthony Rhobe who missed out on the three day tournament despite having an unbeaten first division ton, being given a chance to shine.
Left- arm spinner Raj Nanan, opener Shameer Fazal, middle order batsman Clevon Hyman and off spinner Christopher Surat have all made way for the pugnacious Under-15 opener Brian Sattaur, Anthony Rhobe, Medha Dhanpaul and former national Under-15 off spinner Shaquille Williams respectively.
The new look Demerara team reads; Quincy Ovid-Richardson, Brian Sattaur, Mark Anthony Rhobe, Kwame Crosse, Alex Ramalho, Arif Habib,  Dexter Solomon (Captain), Delroy Charles, Medha Dhanpaul, Shaquille Williams, Amir Khan, Seon Daniels, Andre Stoll and Daryl Ross.