GCB’s Queensway Security Inter-County Super50

IN sweltering heat on a rough and heavy outfield yesterday, defending champions Demerara beat the GCB select X1 by nine wickets on a two-paced pitch at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

After beating the home side Essequibo in the opening game, Demerara, led by a magnificent unbeaten 103 from Man-of-the-Match Matthew Nandu, won their second consecutive win after reaching 188-1 in reply to the 185 all out in their 50 overs made by the Select X1.

The Select X1 had an inauspicious start when Orin Gibson fell for a duck with the score on 1-1.

The left-handed Brandon Jaikaran (26) and Skipper Romario Deonarain made a carefully constructed 52 and added 77 for the second wicket before Jaikaran departed at 78-2.

A fair-sized gathering watched as Deonarain, who hit four fours and a six from 95 balls, was caught and bowled by off-spinner Richie Looknauth after posting the 100.

National left-hander Akshaya Persaud (15) departed two runs later to leave the Select X1 on 102-4.

Afraz Budhoo contributed 23 before he departed, as six wickets fell for 59 runs before Joshua Jones (20) and Kwesi Mickel (21) put together 26 runs.

The last wickets fell for 185.

Renaldo Ali Mohammed took 4-53 while Jonathan Van Lange had 3-36. Looknauth took one wicket and bowled 51 dot balls in 10 overs.

When Demerara commenced their run chase, Matthew Nandu, who reached his second consecutive fifty, again looked solid and, along with Ushardeva Balgobin (27) put together 59 before Dowlin removed Balgobin, who had cut Carlos LaRose for four to post the 50 stand.

Raymond Perez joined his skipper, and together they carried their team to victory without further loss as the Select X1 chased leather for the rest of the day.

Nandu reached his second fifty in 79 balls and surpassed his previous 74 in Essequibo, while Perez, who faced 75 balls, reached his 50 with his first boundary, which landed in the stand.

Nandu, the 23-year-old Canadian-born Guyanese, faced 142 and reached the ropes twice and cleared a couple of times.

Perez was the more aggressive of the pair and along with Nandu featured in an unfinished 129 runs partnership.

Essequibo battle Berbice from 09:00hrs tomorrow at Lusignan.