Assad Fudadin (237*) and Royston Crandon (110) posted 209 for the first-wicket as Berbice, in reply to Essequibo’s first innings score of 160, ended on 523-3 at the close of the second day’s play of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter County four day match at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown yesterday.
Resuming on their overnight score of 90 without loss, with Crandon on 48 and Fudadin 13, the two batsmen plundered the hapless Essequibo attack to all parts of the small DCC outfield.
Crandon posted his century from 117 balls with 13 fours and three sixes, bringing up his team’s 200 in the 39th over.
His innings ended when he went down the wicket to off spinner Andrew and was stumped.
Williams with 2-109, was the most successful bowler for Essequibo.
Maxwell de Jonge, who had retired hurt the previous days, resumed his innings joining Fudadin, but, after adding 16 runs for the second wicket, de Jonge was adjudged lbw to Williams.
He added just five runs to his retired score of 20, hitting five fours from the 32 balls he faced.
It was at this stage that Fudadin decided to take up the mantle of senior batsman and, after spending just one over in the nervous 90s, he lofted a short ball from part time bowler Yogeshwar Lall over the mid wicket boundary to raise his 100.
He faced 173 deliveries and struck 12 fours and two sixes.
Gajanand Singh, entered at the fall of de Jonge’s wicket, played the supporting role during the partnership of 68 for the third wicket, helping himself to some lovely drives to all parts of the ground as Essequibo’s captain Trevon Garraway searched for an answer to the problem. At lunch Berbice were 225-2.
However, Singh when well set for a big total was caught at the deep mid-wicket boundary by Dellon Heyliger off a Lall full toss for 48 from 79 balls with six fours and two sixes.
This was to be the last success for Essequibo, and, although Fudadin and new batsman Homchand Pooran offered chances, the Essequibo fielders failed to hold onto the opportunities.
The two posted an unbeaten 230 for the fourth wicket with Fudadin, after posting his 100, going into overdrive by hitting Lall for a six straight back over his head and then pulling the next delivery through a wide long on position for four.
Pooran took some time to get into his stride but when he got there he punished anything short and loose outside his off stump.
At tea, Berbice were 350-3 enjoying a comfortable lead of 190 with seven wickets in hand, with Fudadin on 124 and Pooran 25.
After tea, the situation remained unchanged. Fudadin posted his 150 and then raced to his 200, with his second hundred taking only 59 balls.
His 200 came off 232 balls as he struck 20 fours and three sixes.
At the close, Fudadin who struck 29 fours and seven sixes from the 284 balls he has faced so far is on 237 his second double century against the same opponents in this competition, having struck his first in 2005 whilst Pooran is on 79 decorated with seven fours and one six from 132 balls and 171 minutes of batting.
Bowling for Essequibo, Williams took 2-109 from 29 overs whilst Lall took the other wicket to fall.
