Hicks first centurion in Berbice zone
Berbice wicketkeeper/batsman Delbert Hicks slammed the first century in the Berbice zone of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Gafoors Industries Limited sponsored nationwide first division competition when the second round of matches organized by the Berbice Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) was played last weekend.
Hicks who struck 12 fours and three sixes during his unbeaten 103, added 112 for the first wicket with national opener Royston Crandon (42) and a further 39 for the third with Assad Fudadin (25) to help propel Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB) to an unassailable 200-3 from their 20 overs against Skeldon Community Centre.
Skeldon could only respond with 127 all out from 19 overs in their turn at the wicket in a match-up that was contested at the Area ‘H’ ground in Rose Hall, with only Sherwin Murray who made 60 with five sixes and three fours, being the principal scorer.
Fudadin returned with the ball to claim 3-12 while the Crandon brothers Esaun and Royston picked up two wickets each for 11 and 19 runs respectively.
At Cumberland ground, Waheid Edwards continued his fine form with the bat, when he scored his second half consecutive century to steer Young Warriors past West Berbice in their encounter.
West Berbice batted first and scored 154-5 from their 20 overs with Kenje Sedoc (45) and Ralph Ogle (42)being their principal scorers against the bowling of Farouk Hussain who grabbed 2-32 from his four overs.
When Young Warriors began their reply, Edwards and former West Indies under-19 batsman Richard Ramdeen (25) added 60 for the second wicket, followed by a quick fire 60 from a mere six overs for the third wicket with Berbice all rounder Paul Wintz (46*) to steer their team to 156-3 from 17.2 overs.
At the Albion Community Centre ground, the home team coming off of a $10,000 fine imposed by the BCBC after they forfeited their first round encounter, rebounded to defeat Scottsburg United by 113 runs.
Albion batted first on winning the toss and compiled 168-2 from their allotted overs as Doodnauth Lallbeharry 54 (3×4; 1×6) and former Guyana/Stanford 20/20 star Imran Khan 39 (2×4; 1×6) added 99 for the first wicket.
National middle order batsman Narsingh Deonarine (29*) continued his fine showing with the bat since his return from back surgery and along with Ranga Lachigadu who made an unbeaten 37 which was decorated with two sixes, continued the onslaught against a hapless-looking Scottsburg side.
When they began their reply, they found the bowling of national right arm leg spinner Devendra Bishoo (4-3) too much to handle, and with tangible support coming from Orvin Mangru (2-3) and Doodnauth Lallbeharry 2-18, they folded for a paltry 55 from 18.2 overs, with only Alex Amsterdam showing resistance with 20.
At Port Mourant Community Centre ground, former West Indies right arm leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo celebrated his call up to the national limited overs side by scalping four of Upper Corentyne Reform batsmen for 12 runs to guide Port Mourant to a comfortable eight wicket victory.
Upper Corentyne Reform were bowled out for 96 from 19.5 overs, with only Viruasha Ramdharry (25) being the lone batsman to show resistance to Nagamootoo and Rajendra Bolo who grabbed 3-5 for Port Mourant who replied with 97-2 from 12.5 overs, thanks to Devendra Thakurdeen (51) and Moshin Peerkhan’s 27.
In the final game that was played, Blairmont Community Centre hosted and defeated Bermine Sports Club by 38 runs in their encounter. Blairmont batted first and scored 166-7 from their 20 overs, thanks to Ramesh Bhudram who made 50, along with able support from Eon Abel (47) and Karamdat Bissoondial 41 against the bowling of national under-19 spinners Stephen Latcha and captain Eugene La Fleur who took two wickets each for 25 and 27 runs respectively.
In reply, Bermine were restricted to 128 in 19 overs, with only Devon Clements (32) and national under-17 selectee Joemal La Fleur 29 being their `principal scorers against the bowling of Abel who returned to claim 3-19, while Bhudram (2-11) and Bissnarine Basdeo (2-24) offered support.