Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo’s 6-wicket haul set up a convincing 10-wicket win for Berbice against Essequibo yesterday in the third round of the Senior Inter-county 50-overs-a-side tournament and they will clash with Demerara in the final on Sunday.
The Ex-West Indies spin bowler destroyed the boys from the Cinderella County at the Bourda
Cricket Club ground as he grabbed 6 for 13 from 8.1 overs, copping the player of the match award and routing a hapless Essequibo for 93 in 31.1 overs.
After winning the toss and electing to take first strike, skipper Rayon Fredericks (22) and his opening partner Kevon Boodie (35), put on a half-century partnership for the first wicket, as the Essequibians looked good at 55 without loss.
But after a solid start, things went downhill soon after when both Boodie and Fredericks were removed in similar fashion by Krisendat Ramoo, edging catches to national wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble.
Ricardo Peters (8), Dillon Heyliger (1), his brother Jason (17), Vishwanauth Lall (0) and Kemo Paul (5), were all removed in quick succession, as Bishoo let loose his magic with the leather, while Jason Alexander (5) became another victim of spin when he was removed by Eon Hooper.
Vice-captain Anthony Adams (0) became Bishoo’s sixth scalp, as national left-arm spinner Herry Greene (2), was beaten for pace and had his stumps knocked over by fast bowler Keon Joseph, leaving Gilford Moore stranded, yet to come off the mark, as the innings came to a nightmare end.
The Berbice bowlers were tidy and potent; Ramoo grabbed 2 for 29 from 8, while Hooper and Joseph collected one each.
In reply, it was all too simple for the former champions who cruised to 94 in 11.1 overs and secured a spot in the finals. Skipper Sewnarine Chattergoon (35) and Anthony D’Andrade (47), were destructive and merciless, hammering the Essequibians to all parts of the legendary venue.
The skipper was his usual classy self, carving six boundaries in his innings, while D’Andrade the more aggressive of the two, hammered seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten knock; as the pair wrapped up the paltry run chase at exactly 12.23pm, minutes before the designated lunch break.
The convincing win now means that Sunday’s final match, being held at another iconic cricket venue in Guyana, the Albion Sports Complex ground, will feature the unbeaten Demerara and the fiery Berbice.
