…Deonarine, Barnwell and Fudadin hit half-centuries
ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – Half-centuries from Narsingh Deonarine, Christopher Barnwell and Assad Fudadin for Guyana in the Regional 4-Day Tournament yesterday left Windward Islands to chase 181 for victory on the final day. Deonarine led the way with 84, Barnwell supported with 75 and Fudadin made 51, as Guyana, trailing by 114 on first innings, were dismissed for 294 in their second innings about 25 minutes before the rescheduled close on the third day of their second round match at Windsor Park.

Windwards reached 12 without loss from four overs before the close with openers Devon Smith and Lindon James, both not out on six.

The home team, starting the day on 186 for eight, were dismissed in the first hour for 252 in their first innings thanks to a rapid 51 from tail-ender Delorn Johnson.

He added 63 for the ninth wicket with Nelon Pascal and shared 31 for the last wicket with Liam Sebastien, when the left-hander resumed his innings, after retiring hurt the previous evening.

Left-hander Veerasammy Permaul, the Guyana captain, was the visitors’ most successful bowler with six wickets for 91 runs from 20 overs.

The Guyanese stumbled to 42 for two at lunch, after Windwards and West Indies captain Darren Sammy trapped Leon Johnson lbw for six and Rajendra Chandrika was run out for 16.

After the interval, Deonarine, dropped twice in his innings, and Fudadin indulged themselves in the afternoon session which was extended by half-hour to compensate for time lost due to bad weather.

The pair added a record 129 for the Guyanese against the Windwards for the third wicket.

Deonarine reached his 50 from 67 balls and ensuring the home team had to bat again, when he pulled Garey Mathurin over long-on for six, and Fudadin too, was dropped twice before he reached his 50 from 121 balls.

Mathurin removed Deonarine and Fudadin, while Sebastien had Sewnarine Chattergoon caught behind for a duck, as three wickets fell without addition and Guyana subsided to 162 for five at tea.

Deonarine struck 10 fours and two sixes from 116 balls in 2 ¾ hours and Fudadin collected four fours and one six from 124 balls in 2 ¼ hours.

After the break, Barnwell anchored the Guyanese batting with typically enterprising batting, putting on 48 for the sixth wicket with Royston Crandon and 72 for the seventh wicket with Derwin Christian to beef-up their side’s advantage.

Barnwell pulled West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford over straight mid-wicket for the second of his four sixes to reach his 50 from 52 deliveries.

Sebastien eventually had him caught behind following an innings that also included seven fours from 83 balls in close to an hour and 40 minutes, as Guyana lost their last four wickets for 14 to set up an intriguing final day.

Guyana won their opening match against Leeward Islands by 234 runs at this venue, but Windwards lost their opener against four-time defending champions Jamaica by 81 runs at Sabina Park in Kingston.