By Calvin Roberts
A belligerent 115 from Balindra Persaud helped pilot Demerara to 316 all out from 90.1 overs on the first day of their preliminary round match against Berbice in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ GTM sponsored three-day Under-19 Inter county cricket competition at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown. Berbice were 27-1 in reply after being asked to face seven overs to complete the playing time for the day.
Having not been included in the squad to contest the competition, Persaud along with Rajendra Nikbarran, was the centre of the controversy prior to the commencement of the game with their area board presidents clamouring for their inclusion in the team. The former did not let down his president as he belted the Berbice bowlers to all parts of the field in compiling his ton which was decorated with 16 fours and one huge six, even though he was the beneficiary of some five chances by the opposition.