President’s XI and Demerara win in low scoring affairs
THE President’s XI and Demerara cricket teams completed comfortable victories over their opponents, Essequibo and Berbice, respectively, when action in the annual El Dorado 50-Over cricket competition continued yesterday. In the two low scoring matches, President’s XI thrashed Essequibo by nine wickets at the Demerara Cricket Club ground while Demerara defeated the defending champs, Berbice, by a seven-wicket margin at the Everest ground.
Over at the DCC ground, President’s XI won the toss and inserted Essequibo who could only reach 120 before being bowled out in 34 overs.
President’s XI then comfortably reached the target of 121 in 25.3 overs.
Steven Jacobs was the chief destroyer of Essequibo as he grabbed 4 – 20 from 12 overs which included six maidens. Jacobs was able to bowl a spell of 12 overs due to the new rule in effect which allows two bowlers to have a maximum of 12 overs.
Jacobs received support from Sewnarine Chattergoon who claimed 3 – 9 from three overs while Dion Ferrier bagged 2 – 8 from three overs.
Kevon Boodie and Herrel Green made 38 and 37 for Essequibo while no other batsman was able to make it into double figures.
Chattergoon returned to make an unbeaten 53 at the top of the order while number three batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj was also unbeaten on 56. Ronsford Beaton grabbed the only President’s XI wicket when Artley Bailey was dismissed for ten.
Meanwhile, the Demerara/Berbice encounter had the latter being restricted to 127 in 33.3 overs while Demerara surpassed the total in 31.5 overs.
Jonathan Foo top-scored for Berbice with a fighting 30 while Narsingh Deonarine (18) and Richard Ramdeen (18) got starts but could not carry on.
Kellon Carmichael removed both Ramdeen and Assad Fudadin at the top of the order while, Amir Khan, who claimed three wickets, and Paul Wintz who claimed one wicket rocked Berbice’s middle order.
Totaram Bishun took two wickets at the bottom of the order while Eugene La Fluer and Anthony Bramble went via the run out route.
In Demerara’s reply Shemroy Barrington went for ten while Trevon Griffith got a good start of 27 before they both fell to Royston Crandon.
Leon Johnson and Gajanand Singh calmly guided Demerara to triple figures then Singh went to Stephen Latcha for 19.
Johnson (43) and Vishaul Singh (14) saw Demerara to the target and their second win of the tournament.
The tournament continues tomorrow with Essequibo taking on Berbice at the DCC ground and President’s XI clashing with Demerara at the Everest ground.