NATIONAL all rounder and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) skipper Christopher Barnwell made a farewell half century last Saturday, the opening day of his team’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Hadi’s Mall Incorporated two day first division encounter against Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) at Queenstown.

The 26 year old Barnwell, who depart these shores on Friday for India, where he will be making his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with the mighty Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), struck 12 fours and four sixes in his 86, as DCC who were asked to take first strike by the visitors, scored an imposing 264 off 49.3 overs.
Barnwell, got support from former Guyana and West Indies opener Travis Dowlin who scored 47 (4×4, 1×6), Andrew Lyght Jnr 37 (5×4, 2×6) and Dexter George’s 18 which was decorated with four fours, as the home team took advantage of the good batting conditions that was available.
Nichosie Barker, Cordell Mars, Shaquille Williams and Steven Sankar took two wickets each for 02, 33, 47 and 71 runs respectively for MSC< who ended the first day’s play on 119 for 7, with national middle order batsman Steven Jacobs leading the way with 47 (4x4) and Williams 32 (4x4).
When play resumed late yesterday due to early morning showers, Barker and Sankar resumed on 7 and 6 respectively, but the visitors who were seeking 145 more runs to make the home team bat again, were bowled out for 155 with Barker making 15 and Sankar 17.
Barnwell returned with the ball to take 4 for 39 while his national teammate Trevon Griffith continued to impress with the ball in true Marlon Samuels fashion, picking up 3 for 66, as DCC enjoyed a first innings lead of 109 runs.
Opting to enforce the follow on, DCC had their guests shakily placed on 32 for six, with MSC’s skipper Steven Jacobs being one of the batsmen sent back without scoring, as Barnwell who ended with 3 for 20 for match figures of 7 for 59, tried desperately in tandem with Griffith and company to snare full points.
The resistance of Barker,  batting at number seven struck four fours in his unbeaten 21 and Sankar 7 not out which included a six over midwicket off Derwin Christian, before play was ended with MSC wobbly placed on 55 for 6. (Calvin Roberts)