ECD closes-in on victory over Upper-Corentyne

By Rajiv Bisnauth
HOSTS, East Coast Demerara closed-in on victory over Upper-Corentyne in the second round of the Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition,yesterday at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club, after they dismissed the visitors for 194 in their second innings.Set 117 for victory, East Coast Demerara closed on 33-1, 84 runs short of their target.Part-time leg-spinner, Kamesh Yadram was the chief destroyer in Upper-Corentyne’s second innings, with 5-34. He received support from fellow spinner, Vivian Albert, who claimed 3-57.
The only bright spot for Upper-Corentyne was Assad Fudadin, who made a composed 70 off 148 balls, inclusive of five bours and three sixes.
Earlier, East Coast Demerara were bowled out for 227, securing a first innings lead of 78 runs.
Resuming at the overnight score of 129-6, Test opener Rajendra Chandrika, and Amir Khan, continued their efforts and extended their partnership to 82. Chandrika made 69 while Khan was left unbeaten on 58.
The pair made the most of the perfect batting conditions after the Enterprise pitch had become slow and has lost most of its bounce, which gave the duo more time to read the deliveries and play their shots.
Both batsmen rotated the strike nicely, and at the same time were able to dispatch the loose deliveries. After the visitors’ first innings total was achieved, Chandrika brought up his half-century off 50 balls.
The pair remained focused and gradually extended their side’s first innings advantage,before Chandrika was trapped leg-before-wicket to leg-spinner Troy Gonsalves. Chandrika’s knock had seven shots to the fence and one over the ropes.
Although Chandrika fell at the other end, the 23-year-old Khan continued to hold up the visitors’ bowlers at the other end and brought up his fifty off 110 balls.
He remained unbeaten after Paul Wintz (5) and Steven Sankar (3) both went leg before wicket to Gonsalves,while leg-spinner Shawn Pereira claimed the final wicket of Gavin Moriah for five.
Pereira finished with figures of 3-34, while Eon Hooper and Gonsalves had figures of 3-36 and 3-54 respectively. Pacer Clinton Pestano was the other successful bowler.
Batting a second time, Upper-Corentyne lost Jason Sinclair, bowled by Albert for seven,during the morning session.Joshua Ramsammy then joined Fudadin in the middle and the pair ensured that the visitors did not lose any more wickets before lunch,which was taken with the score at 45-1.
Fudadin was batting on 31 and Ramsammy was on five. After lunch, the visitors suffered an early set-back, when Ramsammy, who failed to add to his lunch time score, was removed by Albert.
The innings then took another dent after Pestano was bowled by leg-spinner Steven Sankar for 11.
However, Fudadin was joined by Anthony Bramble, and the pair undertook a salvage operation before Yadram removed Bramble (36) and Gonsalves (2),on the stroke of tea.
On the other hand, Fudadin never looked troubled and by the interval he had progressed to 70, with the visitors going to tea at 142-5.
Upon resumption, Yadram quickly removed Fudadin, Keon Sinclair (0), and Arif Chan (11),before Albert removed Eon Hooper (13),while Chanderpaul Hemraj dismissed last man Omesh Mathura for four.
Bhaskar Yadram was the batsman dismissed in the run chase, bowled by Arif Chan for 20. When bails were lifted,the other opener, Gavin Boodwah was unbeaten on five.
In other close of play scores on the second day:

At the Albion Community Centre ground, the rains came at 1140 hrs and the second day’s play was abandoned at approximately 13:30 hours.

Lower Corentyne resuming on 123 for 3 in reply to 212 set by Georgetown, reached 249 for 6 with Johnathan Foo making 127, David Latcha 29 and Hakeem Hinds 19. Sharaz Ramsarran and Veerasammy Permaul are unbeaten on 19 and 14 respectively.

At Young Warriors Cricket Club ground: Essequibo resuming at 111 for 8 was bowled out for 117 in reply to West Berbice’s score of 171.
West Berbice batting a second time reached 98 for 2, with Shimron Hetmyer contributing with 35. The rain came at approximately 11:40 hours and the second day’s play was abandoned at approximately 16:35 hours. West Berbice now has a lead of 152.

At Everest ground:, West Demerara claimed a first innings lead of 97 after they dismissed East Bank Demerara for 160. Stefan Browne top scored with 37 while Vishal Singh and Ershard Ali bot scoring 28. Romario Shephard was the pick of the bowlers claiming 5/32. Rishi Looknauth had 3/57 while Raymon Reifer 2/27.
West Demerara in their second innings close the day on 164/4.Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored a well composed 75 before he was dismissed just before close of play.
Play continues today starting at 09:30 hrs.