PROVIDENCE, Guyana, CMC – Assad Fudadin helped Guyana make a little hay while the sun shone, but England Lions were within reach of first innings points in the WICB Regional first-class championship yesterday.
Fudadin collected two wickets for six runs from three overs, as the Lions, replying to Guyana’s paltry first innings total of 78, reached 68 for three when rain again ended play ahead of schedule on another weather-ravaged third day of their fifth round match at the Guyana National Stadium.
Only 39 minutes were possible, after the England resumed from their overnight total of 42 without loss, and the Guyanese seam bowlers exploited the conditions more associated with their opponents’ homeland.
Fudadin, the Guyana captain, bowling his military medium-pace, made the breakthrough, when he had Adam Lyth caught behind for 18. The visitors ran into further trouble, when Craig Kieswetter was caught behind off Brandon Bess for 25 with an unplayable delivery Fudadin then wobbled the Lions further, when he bowled Ben Stokes for one, as the Lions, desperately trying to gin first innings points with the rain approaching, slipped to 53 for three.
Ultimately, the weather prevented them from surpassing the mark.
The Guyanese entered the match sixth in the Championship with 13 points, after gaining first innings points in their drawn fixture against Barbados at this same venue in the previous round.
The Lions were third on 30 points, after they too, gained first innings points in the previous round in a drawn match against Combined Campuses & Colleges at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados.
Scoreboard
GUYANA 1st Innings 78
ENGLAND LIONS 1st Innings
(overnight 42 without loss)
+C. Kieswetter c wkpr Christian b Bess 25
A. Lyth c wkpr Christian b Fudadin 18
B. Stokes b Fudadin 1
A. Gale not out 5
J. Bairstow not out 14
Extras (lb1, w1, nb3) 5
