… ECB names Inter-county squad
NATIONAL opening batsmen Vishaul Singh and Shemroy Barrington both struck half-centuries as Leon Johnson XI defeated a Steven Jacobs XI in their lone trial match organised by the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) to select the Demerara team to contest the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/El Dorado Inter-county limited overs tournament.
Johnson won the toss and, opting to take first strike on a usually flat Bourda track in hazy conditions, scored 212-7 from their 45 overs, with Singh leading the way with 82 retired out (4×4, 2×6) and Barrington 51 (5×4), the two adding 94 for the second wicket from 22.3 overs.
Jacobs’ XI struggled against the spin attack that was in operation for Johnson’s XI and folded for a meagre 135 from 40.5 overs in reply.
Singh and Barrington’s second-wicket partnership came about after national Under-19 left-arm fast bowler Andre Stoll, who took 2-19, sent back national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell without scoring in the first over, caught by Jacobs at slip when he fended at a short delivery that pitched and left him.
The shots rolled off the bat of both Singh and Barrington, with the former hitting Kellon Carmichael back over his head for a six, while Barrington drove Leonard Caleb square of the wicket with disdain for one of his five fours.
They were separated when Barrington was caught at point off left-arm spinner Totaram Bishun who took 2-51 and after the selectors thought they had seen enough of Singh, who was asked to retire when well set for another ton, Johnson rallied his lower order with a quick-fire 34 that was decorated with three sixes before he was bowled by Stoll.
It was pandemonium when Jacobs’ XI began their reply as they lost Rajendra Chandrika (0) who was run-out by the full length of the pitch and the pugnacious Trevon Griffith (1) within the first two overs, leaving their side on 1-2.
West Indies opener Travis Dowlin who top-scored with 29 (2×4) was joined by his Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) teammate Jamal Hinckson 27 (3×4; 1×6) and they repaired the damage with a 45-run third-wicket partnership.
Hinckson displayed a no-nonsense attitude to the bowlers, when he drove former national Under-19 fast bowler Leon Scott through extra cover twice for four, followed by a sweetly timed square drive off Trevon Garraway that sped away to the point boundary like a bullet.
He took a liking to Scotty, hitting the fast bowler over his head for a six and then watched as Dowlin drove Barnwell past a diving Raj Nanan at extra cover for four, before Hinckson was sent back to the cool comfort of the pavilion.
Jacobs’ XI lost two wickets including national skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan who was bowled by Nanan without scoring when he attempted to cut a delivery that was too close to the body for the shot and despite a fighting 26 from Jacobs who struck Amir Khan for a four and six in successive overs, his side still fell short by 77 runs.
Troy Gonsalves, Nanan and Khan took two wickets each for 11, 15 and 27 runs respectively, while Garraway conceded a mere nine runs from his six overs which was bowled on the trot.
However, despite the president of the DCB stating the team would be announced and released at the completion of the match, Chronicle Sport was told the executives of the DCB have to ratify same before releasing to the media.
Meanwhile, the selection committee of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) has released their team for the tournament which was won by Berbice last year and commences on Saturday. Essequibo will face Berbice at the Blairmont Community Centre ground.
Ryan Fredericks has been appointed skipper of the side which will be coached by Elroy Stephney and managed by Prince Holder. Left-arm orthodox spinner Robert Moore, who last played for the County two years ago, returns to the team.
Also included in the 14-man squad which leaves the Cinderella County today and will be encamped at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence at LBI, are national Under-19 all-rounders Anthony and Ricardo Adams (no relation).
The Essequibo squad reads: Ryan Fredericks, Norman Fredericks, Dillon Heyliger, Jason Heyliger, Balchand Shivamber, Faizal Karim, Ricardo Adams, Anthony Adams, Narendra Madholall, Robert Moore, Herry Greene, Ronsford Beaton and Trevor Benn.