HOME team, Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and Everest Cricket Club (ECC) were locked in a serious battle, despite a destructive spell of fast bowling from former West Indies U-19 all-rounder Bhaskar Yadram, in the GCA, GISE Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall first division two-day cricket competition.

Malteenoes won the toss yesterday morning and opted to take first strike, but they never settled in the middle.

The openers, Joseph Cupidore and Clarence Baird, were sent back early, with Raylex Payne getting Joseph, and Yadram starting his dominance with the wicket of Baird. He then took six of the last eight wickets of the games.

The 19-year-old finished with 7-68 from 14 overs – his best figures in first-division cricket.

Malteenoes’ fightback was led by middle order batsmen, Nichosie Barker, who struck 22 (4×4, 1×6), skipper Steven Jacobs who added 25 (3×4, 1×6), Marcus Watkins who scored 24 (3×4), and Kellon Carmichael, who finished with an innings-high 43.

Carmichael took on Yadram in his sixth over after hitting him for two sixes. In total, the all-rounder finished with five sixes, which helped Malteenoes reach 178 before they were bowled out in 40.2 overs.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Jacobs then spun his way to four wickets in Malteenoes’ fightback, which has left the match precariously placed.

National cricketer Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who opened the batting, has been able to weather the storm and is not out on 41 (5×4), but seven wickets have so far fallen. 

Carmichael took opener Ronaldo Renee and the captain, Akshaya Persaud, who batted at number three, for eight and six runs respectively, while Jacobs claimed four of the five other wickets.

Amir Khan, who has been in form in second-division cricket, showed fight with an aggressive 31 (3×4, 3×6), but he also fell to Jacobs, who has had an excellent competition so far with the ball.

After Khan lost his wicket, Troy Gonsalves hit 17 runs, but Barker got his wicket, while Jacobs had Ritchie Looknauth caught for a duck to swing the pendulum.

Chanderpaul is still at the crease. When play continues this morning, Everest are trailing by 31 runs on first innings.