An unbeaten half-century from middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine took the National XI to a 5-run win over the Rest XI in their rain affected final practice match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday.
The left-hander struck a composed 56 off 87 balls with four boundaries and was supported by Trevon Griffith (28); Royston Crandon (22) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (16) as the National Team reached 154 for 5 in 42.1 overs before the rains intervened, winning by the Duckworth/Lewis method after needing to be at 149 in 42.1 overs.
Fast-bowler Raun Johnson was impressive in picking up 3-30 from his 10 overs while Keon Joseph (1-26) and Zaheer Mohamed (1-17) were also among the wickets.
The Rest XI batted first and reached 194 for 8 from their 50 overs after openers Assad Fudadin (46) and skipper Sewnarine Chattergoon, who top scored with an aggressive 74, added 117 for the first wicket.
However, after the two left-handers crafted that solid foundation for the other batsman to capitalize, only Rajendra Chandrika (29) and Vishal Singh (26) cashed in as fast-bowler Ronsford Beaton grabbed 3 for 30 and National skipper Christopher Barnwell (2-29).
The National XI was seeking a bit of vengeance from the last encounter which they lost to the rest team by 32 runs.
They started out cautiously with Griffith and Robin Bacchus (8) looking positive. After the loss of the two left-handed openers, Sarwan tried to shore up the middle order although he lost the left handed Leon Johnson for one, LBW to Mohamed.
Sarwan continued to look positive with the incoming Deonarine before he was dismissed while Barnwell was trapped LBW for 7, as the National Team slumped to 80 for the loss of 5 wickets.
Deonarine and Crandon then began to go after the bowling. Deonarine, after looking well-placed, brought up his 50 off 78 balls but the batsmen soon after had their efforts halted by the rain which forced the officials to call off the match and adjudicate a winner via the Duckworth/Lewis method.
The National Team, which has been encamped for about three weeks, will now officially break camp today and take a few days to off before they depart Tuesday for next week’s commencement of the 2014 NAGICO Super 50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.
