… Algoo powers Select U-17 to 17-run win over Essequibo

BHASKAR Yardam led from the front with a brilliant all-round performance as Demerara secured an easy eight-wicket win over Berbice in round two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited-sponsored Under-19 Inter-County one-day tournament yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.
Yadram first claimed 3-46, and then fashioned an unbeaten 108-ball 121, as Demerara chased down the 198 for victory, with 10.2 overs to spare.

Asked to bat first, Berbice had effectively strangled themselves and found free-scoring difficult throughout the innings. Medium pacers Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (4-46), and Yadram were the main destroyers for the hosts’.
The visitors’ top three batsmen stuttered before Javid Karim and Matthew Hardyal provided the innings with some momentum.
The left-handed Karim stroke a composed 74, inclusive of 11 fours, while Hardyal made a fighting 26.
Berbice lost both openers, Kevin Sinclair and Veramootoo Senwasane, within the first nine overs with Senwasane the first to be dismissed – offering a simple return catch to Ali Mohamed, for five, while Yadram removed Sinclair for a 24-ball 17.
Adrian Sukwah struck three fours in a 33-ball knock, while adding 41 for the third-wicket with Karim before he was trapped lbw to medium pacer Dambuka Naqgando for 18.
At 68-3, the visitors’ innings were then propped up by Karim and Hardyal. Unfazed by the situation, the pair absorbed all the pressure and ensured that the hosts did not instigate a collapse. They added 65 for the fourth wicket, with the left-handed Karim registering his half-century with his eight boundaries off 68 balls during that period.
However, when both batsmen were removed at the end of the 43rd over, Berbice lost too many wickets in clusters before Keith Simpson (12 not out) and Daniel Samaroo (8 not out), added a last-wicket stand of 21.
Demerara’s chase started badly with the early loss of Raymond Perez, lbw to Karim without scoring, but West Indies Under-19 selectees Yadram and Joshua Persaud then plotted a brilliant second-wicket stand.
Both batsmen blossomed at ease, and even the rapid bowling changes did not prevent the steady flow of runs, as the pair helped themselves well to the multiple scoring opportunities on offer.
The right-handed pair were harsh on anything loose, hitting a series of boundaries during their 98-run stand before left-arm spinner Emmanuel Seecharran provided the second breakthrough, with the wicket of Persaud (43), at 102-2.

Despite that setback Yadram, the first-class opener, got to his half-century off 57 balls in the company of Garvin Boowah.
The duo kept on enhancing the scoring without any difficulties, with Yadram displaying his wide array of strokes to reach his hundred off 88 balls.
When victory was achieved Yadram had already reached the boundary on 15 occasions, while clearing the ropes three times. Boodwah was unbeaten on 22.
Meanwhile, in the other second round game between Essequibo and the Select Under-17, played at the Police Sports Club ground, opener Alex Algoo smashed 119, as the Select Under-17 team defeated Essequibo by 17 runs.
Algoo received support from Sachin Singh (52) as the Select Under-17 team made 222-7 in 28 overs. Mahindra Persaud was the best bowler for Essequibo with 3-37.
In reply, Persaud made a fighting 52 but Essequibo came up short of the winning total when the overs expired. Adrian Campbell and Joshua Jones contributed 42 and 33 respectively.
Junior Sinclair and Gevon Schultz had 3-12 and 3-32 respectively, bowling for the Select Under-17 team.
The third round is scheduled for today, with Demerara opposing Essequibo at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and Berbice facing the Select Under-17 at Everest.