…but Chanderpaul’s X1 win by nine Wkts in three days

By Sean Devers
THE first four-day practice match in preparation for next month’s Regional First-Class season ended inside three days at Providence yesterday with Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s X1 beating Veerasammy Permaul’s X1 by nine wickets.

Twenty-two-year-old Kevlon Anderson’s was looking well set for a big score when his attractive innings was cut short when he was run out in unusual circumstances.

The former West Indies U-19 batter, who plays in Berbice cricket for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, stroked seven well-timed fours in his top score of 40 from 101 balls and 121 minutes.

But only Matthew Nandu (24), Ashmead Nedd (22) and Shamar Yearwood (21) offered token resistance as Permaul’s X1 were bowled out for 186 in their second innings.

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph followed up his 4-for in the first innings with 2-17 while off-spinner Kevin Sinclair had 2-20
Set 19 to win, Chanderpaul’s X1 reached 22 for the loss of Chanderpaul Hemraj, who was caught behind off Nail Smith for a duck at 6-1.

The skipper was unbeaten on five while Savory followed up his brilliant 170 with an undefeated 14 with three boundaries
Scores: Permaul’s X1, 261 & 186, Chanderpaul’s X1, 429 & 22-1
Earlier, Chanderpaul’s X1 resumed in hazy sunshine on 378-6 and lost Kevin Sinclair in the first over for his overnight 40 as Beaton, bowling with pace, induced an edge to slip.

Adams went after the bowling and hit four boundaries in 23 before Beaton had him caught at second slip at 409-8.
Joseph fell to Beaton for a duck without addition to the score before last man Demitri Cameron, who hammered three fours in 12 and Pestano, who smashed five fours in 21, put together 20 in quick time.

Pestano then hooked a bouncer from Ali-Mohammed’s first ball to long-leg to end the innings, 36 minutes into the day.

Beaton had 4-84 while Ali-Mohammed took 2-27
When Permaul’s X1 began their second innings with a deficit of 168 runs, the pumped up Joseph removed fellow Berbician, Rampertab Ramnauth (7) at 8-1.

Tevin Imlach, who made 33 in the first innings, spanked Joseph to the point boundary to get off the mark while Nandu cut Cameron for a delightful boundary.

But with the score on 18, Imlach (4) ‘nicked’ the lively Joseph to the Keeper and by Lunch the score was 26-2 with Nandu on 13 and Anderson on one.

After the interval, with dark clouds hovering ominously overhead, Nandu and Anderson, both pushing for First-Class debuts this season, saw the 50 posted in 15 overs.

But 19-year-old Nandu, who was run out for 78 in the first innings, hit a return catch to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie after reaching the ropes thrice in a solid 24 to leave the score on 56-3.

Akshaya Persuad was LBW to Kevin Sinclair at 84-4 before Anderson, who looked well set for a big score, was unfortunately run out by the length of the Pitch as he pushed to cover and went for a single.

Yearwood made a couple of steps and inexplicable turned back. As both batters headed in the same direction, Anderson indicated to the Umpires (who seemed unsure who was out) that he had beaten Yearwood to the crease.

But Yearwood did not bodge and a fuming Anderson, who was batting solidly, had to go at 107-5, much to the disgust of the handful of fans in the stands.
Garfield Benjamin was bowled for a duck by a perfect off-break by Johnaton Rampersaud which pitched outside off and turned back through the ‘gate’ to hit the stumps.

Ali-Mohammed joined Yearwood at 115-5 and they took the score to 131-6 at Tea with Yearwood on 20
After Tea, with the score on 135, Ali-Mohammed stood his ground as Yearwood came for the single and was run out.

However, Ali-Mohammed (13) did not last much longer as he was removed by Zeynul Ramsammy at 144-8
Nedd (22) and Junior Sinclair (18) ensured their team avoided an innings defeat.
The second practice match starts tomorrow at the same venue.