LEON Johnson’s XI cruised to a nine-wicket win against Robin Bacchus’ XI on the penultimate day of their final Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day practice match at the Guyana National Stadium, yesterday.Bacchus’ XI had another poor batting performance to add to their first-innings total of 141.
Batting a second time they wilted for 169 in reply to Johnson’s first-innings total of 277. This left Johnson’s XI a victory target of 34, entering the final session on day three.
West Indies Under-19 youth left-hander Shimron Hetmyer seemed eager to get the match over with but fell for 11 when Raun Johnson had him leg-before with the score on 19. His opening partner Assad Fudadin (6) and Leon Johnson (7) were left unbeaten as they reached the target in 8.4 overs.
Day three commenced with Johnson’s XI resuming on their overnight score of 201-5 as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (53) and Raymond Reifer (7) resumed their innings. Shiv added only seven runs to his total while Reifer pressed on to 21 before they were both dismissed.
Christopher Barnwell (27) and Anthony Bramble (19) batted well down the order before Barnwell fell and exposed the tail. Steven Jacobs went without scoring then Akshaya Persaud (7) followed soon after, leaving Bramble unbeaten at the other end.
Ronsford Beaton claimed 3-41 from 15 overs while Johnson and Paul Wintz bagged 2-31 and 2-35. Javon Searles, Anthony Adams and Bacchus also took a wicket each.
Johnson’s XI dominated the match with a lead of 136 before Gudakesh Motie stepped in with his left-arm spin to pick up 4-53 from 20 overs to aggravate their opponents’ misery. Motie was supported by Reifer and Barnwell who snared two wickets each while Jacobs accounted for one.
Searles hit a defiant innings of 60 which included eight fours and two sixes but was run-out by Leon Johnson. Kandasammy Surujnarine and Kemo Paul both made 15 while the only other batsman to enter double figures was Tevin Imlach (12).
Guyana are preparing for their first four-day encounter of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day Tournament against the Volcanoes at the Guyana National Stadium from November 6 to 9.(Kizan Brumell)