… Kamash Yadram hits half-century

By Rajiv Bisnauth

LEFT-HANDED batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj fell 19 runs short of a century on day one of the fourth round game in the Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition between East Coast Demerara and West Berbice yesterday at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club ground.His innings of 81, on a shortened day, propelled East Coast Demerara to 294-6, when bad light stopped play at 17:33hrs. Former Guyana Youth player Kamesh Yadram also slammed a compact half-century.
Amir Khan and Vivian Albert will resume today on 39 and three respectively. Off-spinner Collis Butts took centre stage, with 5-75 off 29 overs, after his skipper decided to make first use of the pitch.
However, apart from Butts, the other bowlers failed to provide the support and the hosts cashed in significantly on the batting-friendly pitch.
When play began 75 minutes late due to the soggy state of the bowlers’ run-up at the northern side of the ground, the hosts reached 30, before Butts made the initial breakthrough, bowling Gavin Boodwah for 13.
Hemraj then joined opening batsman Bhaskar Yadram, and the pair added 67 for the second wicket.
Both batsmen gradually grew in confidence, and by the interval, the hosts reached 87-1.
However, immediately after the interval, Yadram, after hitting four fours and a six, was run-out for 48. Hemraj was joined by Kamesh Yadram, and the pair then steadied the innings without conceding another wicket during that session.
The pair swung the momentum the hosts’ way with some impressive stroke play, but at the same time showed perfect temperament, mixing patience with aggression. They were never hesitant to step out, step back and concentrate on finding the gaps.
The West Berbice bowlers had some frustrating moments in the post-lunch session.
However, Hemraj was finally dismissed off Butts after tea and ended the 83-run third-wicket partnership. His innings spanned 97 balls, 199 minutes, inclusive of nine fours and four sixes.
Also during that session, ECD lost Yadram, Ramnarine Chatura (34) and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan (14), all to Butts. Yadram faced 128 balls, with five fours and a six.
Meanwhile, summarised scores from the other three games are as follows:
At Lusignan, Lower Corentyne closed the day on 227-7 with Seon Hetmyer on 51 not out and Devon Clements on 28 not out. Gajanand Singh scored 43 and Jonathan Foo hit 42.
Earlier, East Bank Demerara won the toss and elected to bat but could muster only 105 all out on a good batting track. Danny Narayan top-scored with 48. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Kassim Khan took 5-37 while Devon Clements had 5-43.
At Bourda: No play between Georgetown and Essequibo – called off at 13:30hrs.
At Tuschen: Play between West Demerara and Upper Corentyne was called off shortly after lunch due to rain.