Essequibo routed for 86 against Demerara

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE lack of competitive cricket, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was evident at least on Essequibo’s part in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 One-Day Inter-County tournament yesterday, at the LBI ground.
The team from the Cinderella County was beaten by 86 runs in a game which was shortened by 12 overs a side.
Demerara played well, but were helped by a dismal Essequibo batting performance, as one dismissal followed another in a run chase of 163.
Demerara’s total of 162-8 was built around opener Mathew Nandu, who struck a patient 53 and shared in two crucial partnerships.
Earlier electing to bat first, the hosts lost opener Sachin Singh inside the first over before Nandu and Ushardeva Balgobin calmed the proceedings.

Singh, who had represented West Indies at the Under-15 level, went, off the bowling of pacer Jason Holder (2-28), but having combined at the fall of Singh’s wicket, Nandu and Balgobin showed great determination to not let Essequibo bowlers make further inroads.
Balgobin was the more aggressive of the two, not sparing any loose delivery while Nandu played a perfect foil to his partner.
However, after putting together 79 in 20.4 overs, Balgobin was dismissed off Nicko Vincent (1-34) for a 59-ball 45, decorated with four fours and two sixes.
Nandu then shared another vital stand of 51 with Mavendra Dindyal, who made 27 off 37 balls. But the fall of those two batsmen, the hosts lost four quick wickets towards the backend of the innings. Nandu innings lasted for 97 balls in 147 minutes at the wicket, with four boundaries.

Wasim Mohamed (2-26) and Lance Roberts (1-18) were the other successful bowlers.
Essequibo batsmen produced a combination of poor strokes and the lack of determination as they folded for 86 in 27.2 overs. Only Sheldon Charles (25), and Vincent (12), reached double figures.
Dwain Dick (3-15), player-of-the-match Nandu (2-21), Balgobin (2-10) and Zachory Johad (1-5), were the destroyers for the winners.
Round two is billed for tomorrow and will bring together Essequibo and Berbice while round three on Sunday will see a clash between Demerara and Berbice.
The team with the most points shall be deemed winner of the tournament.
However, in the event of teams finishing on equal points, the highest-placed team will be given to the team with the most wins, or when teams have both equal wins or equal points, the team which was the winner of the match between them shall be deemed the winner, or if still equal, the team with the highest net run rate.