Twenty wickets fell on the first day as Berbice passed Demerara’s paltry first innings score of 80, then crumbled for 101 in the final round match of the Castrol inter-county under-15 two-day cricket competition at the Police Sports Complex ground yesterday.
Both teams batted poorly. Demerara, sent in to bat after Berbice won the toss, were completely befuddled by three spinners, diminutive left-arm spinner Gudakesh Moti, Trinson Carmichael and Joemall La Fleur.
Moti was the most successful of the trio with 4-10 while Carmichael captured 3-10 and LaFleur 2-14.
The left-arm spinner Carmichael bowled Dayanand Roopnarine with an orthodox delivery, then castled Demerara skipper Carlos LaRose with a chinaman.
Most of the Demerara batsmen easily succumbed to the pressure applied by the Berbice spinners who were consistent and well supported by their fielders.
Berbice, in reply, began shakily but Demerara did not capitalise on the opportunities. LaFleur, who opened the batting, was dropped twice before being adjudged lbw to Seon Daniels for five with the score on 21. Skipper Harrinarine Chattergoon stroked two boundaries then played an ugly swipe, missed and had his leg stump knocked back by left-arm seamer Azad Mohammed after scoring 16.
Travis Karim top-edged a pull from Amir Khan’s first delivery and was caught by wicket-keeper Kevin Singh with the sore 51-3.
Demerara aided their opponents’ cause with sloppy fielding as the batsmen who were struggling to score were being gifted runs unnecessarily.
Berbice passed Demerara’s score then Jamally Odle (14) grandson of former Guyana wicket-keeper Milton Pydanna and Keon Joseph (17) enjoyed an eighth-wicket partnership of 20 before LaRose clean bowled Odle and Khan had both Joseph and last man Moti stumped.
Play, which was extended for an hour to make up for time lost owing to a soaked pitch, was halted with the fall of the last wicket.
Little leg-spinner Amir Khan was the pick of the Demerara bowlers picking up 3-12 from 13.5 overs including six maidens, while Ricardo Devers grabbed 2-10.
Today’s play is scheduled to start at 9.30am. Demerara will hope to record a come-from-behind win since defending champions Berbice can retain the title with a draw.
