Opener Assad Fudadin scored a half-century while disciplined bowling performances helped guide the National XI to a massive 150-run mauling of the Rest XI yesterday in the third practice match of the ongoing preparatory camp played at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The West Indies ‘A’ left-hander stroked a stylish 70 off of 111 deliveries with three fours and a six.
He received support from West Indies Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul who scored a fluent 41 off 43 balls and skipper Christopher Barnwell,
who chipped in with a 16-ball 42 as the national team reached 230-7 from their allotted 42 overs.
Fast bowler Keon Joseph (3-46) and left-arm pacer Andre Stoll (2-27) were the principal wicket takers for the Rest Team while spinners Amir Khan and Zaheer Mohamed ended with 1-18 and 1-46 respectively.
In reply, the Rest Team crashed to a paltry 80 all out in 25 overs with all-rounder Rajiv Ivan smashing an unbeaten 47 with six fours. Fast bowlers Paul Wintz (3-14) and Ronsford Beaton (2-17) bowled with pace and hostility while spinners Devendra Bishoo (2-12) and Royston Crandon (2-16) and medium pacer Barnwell (1-21) were also among the wickets.
Earlier, Stoll removed opener Trevon Griffith for 12 and then had the experienced former West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan trapped LBW for a duck. Fudadin, despite the loss of the early wickets, maintained his composure and eventually added 61 for the fourth wicket with West Indies ‘A’ teammate Leon Johnson who scored 28 before he became Mohamed’s lone victim.
After bringing up his 50 off 88 deliveries and raising the team’s 100 and 150 run-mark in the 26th and 26th overs respectively, Fudadin was bowled by Joseph.
However, the experienced Chanderpaul, with his level headed approach, and the confident and aggressive Barnwell, spurred middle-order resurgence.
Barnwell replicated the approach he has been demonstrating over the past year by wading into all the bowlers as he clobbered four fours and three maximums into the iconic Bourda stands. Chanderpaul, meanwhile, was content to milk the bowling and managed one boundary in his knock before falling to Joseph as well. After the onslaught of Barnwell, Anthony Bramble’s unbeaten 10 off a mere three balls with a four and a six, saw the innings coming to an exciting close.
Chasing a few more runs than what was posted in the previous game by the national side, the Rest Team were put under the cosh early losing six wickets for a measly 31 runs. They eventually managed to raise the team’s 50 compliments of Ivan’s presence, despite losing seven wickets.
Sewnarine Chattergoon (6), Robin Bacchus (10), Rajendra Chandrika (2), Chanderpaul Hemraj (0), Jonathan Foo (0), Zaheer Mohamed (2), Shaquille Williams (2) and Jason Sinclair (4) reflected a poor batting performance from the Rest Team.
Ivan’s knock was aggressive and mature as he looked to build on his start but he was unable to garner any support from his teammates as the national team’s bowlers warmed up for the task ahead.
The next match is scheduled for Friday at the same venue while two more matches are scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium ahead of the tournament which begins on January 30 in Trinidad and Tobago.
