Trio of fifties take Essequibo home to victory at Bourda

By Sean Devers
HALF-centuries from Shaahid Viera, Myhiem Khan and Theddeus Lovell helped Essequibo to a five-wicket victory over the Select X1 on the third and final day of the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Government of Guyana and Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport U-19 three-day Inter-County cricket tournament at the GCC ground, Bourda yesterday.

After an hour’s late start due to seepage on a section of the pitch due to early morning rain, Essequibo began the final day in brilliant sunshine needing 162 to win with nine wickets in hand and a trio of fifties rallied them to 233-5 with over a session to spare.

Vieira’s even 50 lasted 144 balls, 160 minutes with four boundaries; Myhiem Khan also made 50, from 72 balls, 92 minutes with seven fours and Theddeus Lovell made an unbeaten 67 from 96 balls, 86 minutes decorated with four fours and three sixes.

Man-of-the-Match, Aryan Persaud who took two five-wickets hauls in the game retuned with the bat and contributed a crucial unbeaten 28 from 90 balls and 98 minutes after Ronaldo Schouten made 22 to help the Essequibian’s cause.

Chanderpaul Ramraj took 2-43 from 21 overs
Khan on 46 overnight, reached his 50 but was soon dismissed at 89-2 to end a promising 85 runs partnership before Rajendra Ramballi (3) was lbw to Ramraj to leave the score on 94-3.

Vieira, who started the day on 19, played some good shots before he was removed at 134-4 to break the promising 40-run stand before Ronaldo Schouten was lbw off Ramraj at 140-5 and at Lunch the Select X1 were still in the fight with Essequibo on 146-5.

After the interval, Persaud joined the aggressive Lovell and together they built a solid partnership with Persaud, who used his feet nicely to the spinners, played the supporting role against a defensively set field which allowed easy singles while Lovell played the big shots.

Lovell became the third to reach fifty but unlike the previous two, he ensured that he kept going until the end as the pair shared in an unbroken 93-run stand.

The competition continues tomorrow with Demerara facing the GCB Select X1 at the Enmore ground, while Berbice and Essequibo clash at Everest. Both second round games are scheduled to commence at 10:00am.