2010 GCB/GTM Under-19 limited overs competition
HOSTS Essequibo will be looking for redemption today when they face one of their nemeses, Demerara, in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/GTM Under-19 Inter-county limited overs competition at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, following a five-wicket first-round loss to Berbice on Monday. National Under-15 vice-captain Ricardo Adams blasted an unbeaten 60-ball 91 against Berbice, sharing an important 59-run tenth-wicket partnership with Seon Venture as Essequibo progressed from 138-9 to 197 before they were bowled out.
Certainly, the Essequibians, especially skipper Herell Greene and Vijay Surajpaul, had been getting starts but have failed to carry on while Kevin Boodie needs to know what his role is in the team.
Keron McLennon has the ability to produce a big score, but he is yet to do so for Essequibo, while Ravendra Mohabir and Neil Ramalho like Boodie, need to be reminded of their roles in the team.
Vice-captain Anthony Adams has been scoring heavily in the three-day format but when set for a big score gives his wicket away. However, he is due for a big score and certainly will be looking to get same today in front of his home crowd.
The bowling must be a concern to the management team of brothers Alvin and Vibert Johnson, as national Under-19 fast bowler Ronsford Beaton lacked direction and penetration against Berbice where he conceded 54 runs in seven overs, even though he bowled with pace and aggression.
While his future in the game is not bleak, Beaton should be asked to take charge of the towel and water duties today, giving Venture, who is a useful customer with the ball, and Rovi Harris a chance to prove themselves.
Once again, both Anthony and Ricardo Adams kept a tight rein on things for Essequibo while Mohabir got four wickets, albeit from loose shots from the defending champions when victory was in sight.
On the other side of the coin lie a new-look Demerara team, whose batting will hinge on the pugnacious opening pair of Quincy Ovid-Richardson and 15-year-old Brian Sattaur.
In-form batsman Kwame Crosse will be looking to further cement his name into the minds of the junior selectors, who have been present at all the matches to date, with another big innings.
Mark Anthony Rhobe missed out on the three-day tournament after being overlooked by the selectors, but has been included in the limited overs squad, along with Alex Ramalho and Medha Dhanpaul.
While skipper Dexter Solomon’s glove work has been on the up, his batting has not matched up, but he is still in the reckoning to execute the duties behind the stumps for Guyana in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board/TCL competition and a good score against a team he defeated inside two days in the three-day format, will place him in good stead.
Andre Stoll, Seon Daniels and Daryl Ross are useful customers with the bat hence that department should not be of concern, nor the bowling department which is being led by former West indies Under-15 spinner Amir Khan.
He is the lone bowler to date with five-wicket hauls from every innings, (three in total) and whether he gets another today is all up to the Cinderella County team, who were in a muddle with his leg-spinners at Uitvlugt.
Irrespective of the outcome, a keenly competitive match would certainly spice up a tournament that has been plagued by protests.
Teams for today’s encounter which bowls off at 09:30 h will be chosen from:
Demerara: Dexter Solomon, Amir Khan, Quincy Ovid-Richardson, Brian Sattaur, Alex Ramalho, Kwame Crosse, Mark Anthony Rhobe, Medha Dhanpaul, Arif Habib,  Delroy Charles, Shaquille Williams, Seon Daniels, Andre Stoll and Daryl Ross.
Essequibo: Herell Greene, Anthony Adams, Mark Tyrell, Rovi Harris, Ronsford Beaton, Ricardo Adams, Keron McLennon, Ravendra Mohabir, Neil Ramalho, Tulsiram Premnauth, Kevin Boodie, Christopher Blucher, Seon Venture and Vijay Surajpaul.