Five batsmen hit half-centuries
WASIM Haslim, Nicholas De Groot, Robin Bacchus, Gavin Singh and Quincy Ovid-Richardson all struck half-centuries for their respective clubs yesterday, when action in the Georgetown Cricket Association-organised Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/Heroes Cup first division competition continued at various venues. At the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, the home team who won the toss and opted to take first strike against Transport Sports Club (TSC), declared their first innings closed on 356 for 6, with Haslim 81 (15×4), De Groot 78 (68 balls 9×4, 1×6), Bacchus 72 (13×4) and Singh 54.
Haslim and Bacchus added 117 for the first wicket, before Haslim added a further 80 runs for the second wicket with Winston Forrester who made 42 (3×4, 2×6), while De Groot and Singh added 105 for the fourth wicket.
Travis Marcelino took 2 for 77 for TSC, who were struggling on 66 for 6 at the close of play, with only Simeon Sam who struck five fours in his 38, offering resistance to the bowling of Jason Warde who has so far taken 4 for 34 for the home team.
At the Police Sports Club ground, the home team won the toss and opted to take first strike against Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), but must have regretted doing so, as they were bowled out for 105, with Jermaine Reynolds 33 (3×6, 2×4) and Randolph Knights 23 (3×4, 1×6) being their principal scorers.
Orin Fraser took 5 for 44 and Rawle Merrel 2 for 19 for GNIC who closed the day’s play on 263 for 9, thanks to Ovid-Richardson’s 64 (8×4, 1×6), Premchand Sukhdeo’s 44 (3×4) as they added 120 for the first wicket.
Ejaz Mohammed and Elton Baker chipped in with 35 and 24 respectively, with Mohammed hitting four fours and two sixes while Baker struck three fours.  Rondel Warde took 3 for 56 and Troy Benn, known more for his batting, took 2 for 16 for PSC.
The other scheduled encounter between Demerara Cricket Club and Everest Cricket Club was rescheduled as the former’s home ground was being used by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to select a national squad for practice.