PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Narsingh Deonarine grabbed the opportunity to stroke another half-century and push his season aggregate to within sight of 1000 runs, as Guyana’s 12th round WICB Regional match finished in a tame draw against Trinidad & Tobago yesterday.
The left-handed Deonarine, who has played four Tests for West Indies but has not worn maroon in four years, stroked a handsome 74 as Guyana finished on 213 for seven at Queen’s Park Oval.
With the score, Deonarine pushed his aggregate to 950 runs for the season, just short of the record of 974 runs set by Antiguan Stuart Williams in the 2002 season. Overall, he struck 10 fours and a six, facing 129 balls in 166 minutes at the crease.
Opener Christopher Barnwell also seized the opportunity to get among the runs, scoring 57 as Guyana batted out the day after resuming at nought without loss. His innings spanned 116 minutes, 85 balls and included seven fours.
Off-spinner Sherwin Ganga (2-13), leg-spinner Imran Khan (2-24) and fast bowler Atiba Allert (2-35) all finished with two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Guyana with a first innings lead of 23, resumed on nought without loss but lost Sewnarine Chattergoon (9) and Leon Johnson (1) cheaply to slip to 44 for two.
But Barnwell and Deonarine combined in a 47-run stand for the third wicket to ease the tension before Barnwell was bowled by pacer Navin Stewart.
Any hopes T&T harboured of a miraculous come-from-behind win were then thwarted by a 57-run fourth wicket partnership between Deonarine and captain Travis Dowlin (18).
Guyana, without a win in the tournament, have moved to 30 points but remain at the bottom of the standings while T&T now have 54 points.
