By Marlon Munroe
Home-town hero Narsingh Deonarine exploded on the hapless Barbados bowlers yesterday blasting a 79-ball unbeaten 102 as Guyana registered its second victory in the WICB President’s Cup limited-overs tournament at the Albion Community Centre Ground.
In front of a packed venue, the left handed Deonarine blasted five huge sixes- the last one over Jonathan Carter’s head to bring up his century, and five fours as Guyana overhauled Barbados’ total of 231-9 in 42.1 overs with 236-3.
Deonarine, batting at number four, took the game away from the Barbadians with his aggressive hitting after a solid foundation was set by Travis Dowlin (38) and Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (33).
Shivnarine Chanderpaul finished the game in grand style when he hit Alcindo Holder for six over square leg, finishing unbeaten on 38 which included one four and a six from 44 balls.
Dwayne Smith (1-30), Ryan Hinds (1-28) and Tino Best (1-44) were the only successful bowlers for Barbados.
When Guyana commenced its chase of 232 in 49 overs, the experienced Dowlin and opener Sewnarine Chattergoon stroked the ball around authoritatively coupled with more vigilant and sensible cricket than was the case on Wednesday in their first match against the Leeward Islands.
But then in one moment of indiscretion Chattergoon charged down the pitch to left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds and was stumped for 13 (2×4) after an encouraging start. Shortly after, Dowlin hit two free hits through the midwicket region in the eight over and continued with his free scoring in partnership with captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The two were progressing breezily before Dowlin was caught at cover.
Sarwan, who was looking quite damgerous was dismissed in a timid fashion caught and bowled by Smith.
Fom the inception Deonarine looked and stroked the ball purposefully and brought up his half century in quick time.
But it was his second half part of the innings that gave fans the ultimate treat and the selectors a final, timely reminder ahead of the team selection for the upcoming tour of Australia. Earlier, after Esaun Crandon struck with the second ball of the first over of the match (without a run on Barbados’ scoresheet) a 68-run partnership was crafted opener Kirk Edwards and skipper Hinds.
Both batsmen approached the team’s rehabilitation with sensible and controlled aggression. They picked up the odd boundary but mostly worked the ball around the park before Hinds was bowled by Crandon in the 16th over for 31 (3×4) from 44 balls. Shortly after, Edwards went by the run out route for 32 as he attempted a suicidal single to the cover region. He faced 59 balls and hit two fours.
After new batsmen Jonathan Carter and Alcindo Holder (8) pushed the score to 87 in the 21st over the skies opened at 10:45 hours but play resumed at 11:15 hours. Four overs after the resumption, leg spinner Devendra Bishoo removed Holder caught behind for eight and later in the over trapped Dwayne Smith lbw for one.
Even as Bishoo made use of the conditions after the rain interruption, Barbados crept to the three figure mark in 25 overs. Bishoo struck again when he bowled the faster delivery and trapped Carlo Morris lbw as he played back in his crease for five.
Off-spinner Veerasammy Permaul got into the act by dismissing Carter who playing against the turn, got a leading edge that went straight back to the bowler who took a simple return catch. Carter scored 24 from 50 balls as Barbados tottered on 120-7.
But Sulieman Benn hit Permaul for the first six of the game over midwicket and Barbados took their batting power-play at 156-7 in the 39th over. Some 34 runs came in the powerplay with Barbados progressing to 190.
After reaching 200 in 43.5 overs Khaled Springer held out to Crandon on the long on boundary off the bowling of Permaul to break an 82-run partnership. He scored 35 which included three boundaries from 37 balls.
Benn followed shortly stumped by Hicks of Permaul for 39, which was embroidered with three boundaries and two maximums, from 40 balls as Barbados closed on 231 from 49.
Bishoo and Permaul finished with 3-30 and 3-54 respectively while Crandon ended with 2-34 for Guyana.
Barbados innings