Persaud’s ton, fifties from Perez, Ali-Mohamed & Singh power Demerara to 394-6

By Sean Devers
ON a hot day at Bourda, an unbeaten 110 from Akshaya Persaud and fifties from Raymond Perez, Renaldo Ali-Mohammed and Sachin Singh powered defending champions Demerara to a commanding position of 394-6 against Essequibo on the opening day the final round of the GCB’s four-day senior Inter-County tournament.

The track at Guyana’s Mecca which has hosted 30 Test matches from 1930, was flat and the outfield lightning fast and most of the batters capitalised on the favourable conditions and at times innocuous bowling.

Only Skipper Chris Barnwell who missed a sweep at afull ball from off-spinner Malcome Hubbard for 19, opener Chanderpaul Hemraj, who fell to left-arm spinner Ricardo Adams when well set on 33 with three fours and a six and Shamar Yearwood (2) failed cash in on the runs fest as the Essequibians chased leather all day.

Persaud, looking to regain his spot on the Guyana Harpy Eagles side, looked his unusual flamboyant self as he reached the boundary seven times and cleared it on three occasions unbeaten in his 110 from 163 balls and 243 minutes and shared in two century stands.

Earlier, Singh, who hit four fours and three sixes in his 86-ball 57, added 60 with Hemraj who is hoping for a national recall after recovering from a concussion injury.

Perez fell to Hubbard when well set for a century; making 84 from 146 balls with 10 fours and two sixes and added 110 with Persaud for third wicket before was dismissed at 240-3.
Persaud added 103 with Mohammed who was removed by Adams at 376-5 after making 63 from 58 balls with six fours and three sixes.

Shamar Yearwood (2) was bowled by Adams off the final ball of the day which the fair size partisan fans saw boundaries galore.

Adams so far has taken 4-106 while Hubbard figures read 2-83
The second day’s play iss et to commence at 9:30 am today.