By Rajiv Bisnauth
DEMERARA Cricket Club (DCC) took firm control at the end of day one of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) first division two-day final against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.When bails were lifted, DCC had extended their first-innings lead to 21. Replying to GDF’s 163, DCC were 184-5.
Dennis Squires and Kemol Savory will return to the crease this morning.
After deciding to bowl first, DCC, backed by an all-round bowling effort and disciplined fielding reduced the GDF in 51.5 overs.
Medium-pacer Christopher Barnwell was the best bowler on show, with 3-36. He received support from back-of-the-arm spinner Totaram Bishun (3-38), Paul Wintz (2-19) and off-spinner Squires (1-53).
The DCC new ball bowlers delivered some early punishing blows to leave the GDF struggling at 32-3.
Barnwell made the first breakthrough in the day’s second over when Quacey McPherson played across the line and was leg before wicket without scoring.
Wintz then produced a brilliant first spell of seam bowling. He first bowled Hakeem Hinds (1) and then had Leon Andrews (14) with a ball that moved away off the seam, finding the edge on the way to wicketkeeper Savory.
Kevin Ramdeen became the fourth casualty of the day, when he was taken by Barnwell at backward square off Bishun for 23, and within the first hour of play, GDF were precariously placed at 38-4.
However, Ishwar Singh and Randy Lindore steadied the innings somewhat with a fifth-wicket partnership of 49, but the DCC spinners took full advantage on a pitch that offered some turn and bounce,.
Lindore was removed by Bishun for 25, while Singh was dismissed by off-spinner Dennis for 24. GDF reached the interval at 100-6, with Dextor Solomon on four and Jerimiah Harris on seven.
After the interval, Solomon was run out after a mix-up with Harris for seven. Harris, who was left unbeaten on 21, was joined by Romario Shephard and together provided a short period of resistance before Barnwell trapped the latter leg before wicket for 22. Barnwell then had Andre Oneil caught at the wicket for four.
Bishun wrapped up the innings mid way through the middle session with the wicket of Nial Smith for 12.
The DCC got off to the worst possible start and were reduced to 10-2,with Shephard removing Brian Sattuar (2) and Kevon Boodie without scoring.
Barnwell then made a resilient 70-ball 70, inclusive of 13 fours to provide the resistance after the two early dismissals.
He added 84 for the third wicket with Tevin Imlach before he departed to Lindore. Jamal Hinkson joined Imlach, but when the partnership began to blossom, the West Indies Under-19 wicket-keeper had to retire hurt on 45, sharing a 62-run partnership with Hinkson.
Hinkson went on to make 47 (5x4s, 1×6) before he became Shephard’s third victim. Jahron Byron (11) was the other batsman dismissed via the run out route. Play resumes today at 09:30 hrs.