– Essequibo need 38 runs for victory, with five wickets in hand.

A composed century from former national youth player Brain Sattaur powered the East Coast franchise to a commanding position over West Berbice at stumps on day two of the fourth fixture in the Jaguars Franchise League three-day cricket tournament yesterday at

the Bush Lot ground.

Sattaur, the left-handed opener smashed an enterprising 105, as East Coast were bowled out just before the close for 321, an overall lead of 277 runs.
West Berbice closed on 27 without loss after 10 overs, still needing a further 251 for victory.

Displaying his wide array of strokes, the left-handed Sattaur batted with good composure in an innings which spanned 179 balls, inclusive 12 fours and four sixes. Sattaur received support from National middle-order batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj, who made an attractive 78.

Meanwhile, at the start of the day’s play, the hosts after resuming from an overnight position of 179-9, extended their first innings total to 187 before fast bowler Cordel Mars, who finished with figures of 2-34, wrapped up the home side’s innings when he bowled Keon Joseph for 37.

Fellow fast bowler Royston Simon (4-48), Rodulph Singh (3-24) and Bhaskar Yadram (1-34), were the other bowlers who have created the problems during the latter part of day one.
With a first innings deficit of 44 runs, the visitors openers Rajendra Chandrika and Brain Sattuar added 26 for the first-wicket before a breakdown in communication between the pair, saw the Test opener run out for 16.

The young Yadram then joined Sattaur, and hit four fours in a breezy 27-ball 28 before he was removed by pacer Steven Harris at 64-2, but thereafter the visitors were able to build on a substantial amount of momentum through the Sattaur-Hemraj association.
While Sattaur was a little tentative at the beginning of the innings, the left-handed Hemraj quickly settled down, and was quite confident from the onset.

On a pitch that had little during that period, the duo didn’t face any difficulty as the partnership progressed, and by lunch the visitors were 124-2, with Hemraj remained undefeated on a well-crafted 42 while Sattaur was on 30.
Upon resumption the pair displayed even more purpose, and brought up their respective fifties in their partnership 121 for the third-wicket before Hemraj was removed by Harris. His innings spanned 83 balls, with six fours and four sixes.

His dismissal triggered the quick removal of Joshua Persaud (1) and Kamesh Yadram (17). Persaud was Harris’s third victim while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie claimed the wicket of Yadram.
However, the left-handed Sattaur was unperturbed at the other end, and was unbeaten on 94 at the tea break in company with Ramnarine Chatura on four.
He brought up his hundred immediately after, but thereafter Motie and Andrew Dutchin engineer a batting collapse.

Only Ameer Khan (46), of the remaining batsmen could provide some sort of determination with the bat.
Motie finished with figures of 4-91, while Dutchin had 2-47 to complement Harris, who ended, with 3-76.
Meanwhile, at Young Warriors; East Bank were bowled out for 139, replying to Lower Corentyne’s first innings total of 148. Batting a second time Lower Corentyne closed the day on 43-5. Nial Smith has so far taken all five wickets.

At Port Mourant; Upper Corentyne resuming on 267-7 were bowled out 317. In Reply West Demerara were bowled out for 133. With a first innings lead of 184, Upper Corentyne have decided to enforce the follow-on. West Demerara batting a second time reached 59-1. Tagenarine Chanderpaul in unbeaten on 20, with Akshaya Persaud on 33.

At Tuschen; Georgetown resumed on 13-0, were bowled out for 245, with Leon Johnson 91 and Christopher Barnwell 48. Ricardo Adams and Akeeni Adams took three wickets apiece while Keemo Paul picked up two wickets.

Set 193 to win, Essequibo reached 155-5, with Ricardo Adams on 95 and Mark Williams on 34. Barnwell has so far taken 4-37. Essequibo needed a further 38 runs for victory, with five wickets in hand.