Half-centuries from former West Indies middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine and Steven Jacobs aided the Sewnarine Chattergoon-led XI to victory over the Assad Fudadin-led XI by eight wickets in the second scheduled national practice match at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, yesterday.
Although the sun shone sharply yesterday, play commenced after lunch because the ground was still damp from heavy rains that fell and washed out the opening practice game on Wednesday. The contest was then reduced to 35 overs a side.
The team skippered by Guyana captain Assad Fudadin batted first and totalled 162 for 6 from 31 overs when coach Mark Harper called an end to the innings. Fudadin 50 (49 balls, 3×4, 2×6) and national vice-captain Leon Johnson 48 (69 balls, 2×4, 2×6) were the major scorers.
Medium pacer Kellon Carmichael and 2011 Berbice Under-19 captain and leg-spinner Shawn Pereira were the principal wicket-takers for the Chattergoon XI with figures of 2 for 25 and 2 for 19 from four and three overs respectively.
In their reply the Chattergoon XI suffered an early minor hiccup, losing Essequibo opener Norman Fredericks who was bowled without scoring by 2011 national Under-19 all-rounder Clinton Pestano in the first over of the chase.
Afterwards, it was smooth sailing for the Chattergoon-led XI as Chanderpaul Hemraj (29), Deonarine 70 (81 balls, 8×4, 1×6) and Jacobs 50 (51 balls, 4×4) – both not out, batted calmly, assuring victory for their side with 166 for 2 in 30.2 overs
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Berbice off-spinner Steven Latcha, who has received his first senior call-up, was the other wicket-taker, ending up with figures of 7-0-31-1.
The national team has another practice game today at Demerara Cricket Club Ground from 09:00 hrs in preparation for the upcoming Regional Super-50 competition that will bowl off here from October 19 – 29.
