Opener Assad Fudadin’s unbeaten century backed up by Captain Leon Johnson’s 46 gave the national team the upper hand over the Rest XI yesterday on the third day of the four-day practice match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence ground.
Fudadin, who resumed on his overnight 21, went on to score a poised 117 an innings which included 15 fours. He batted for approximately 450 minutes and shared a productive fourth-wicket stand of 110 with all-rounder Chris Barnwell who managed four boundaries in his knock of 59.
The Rest XI, bowled out for 200 in 59.1 overs, trailed by three runs on first innings after the national team scored 203 in their first innings.
At the close of play yesterday the national team was well placed on 257 for 4 in their second innings, a lead of 260 runs going into today’s final day.
The Rest XI’s bowlers were all put to the sword by Fudadin and company who ensured that none of the bowlers settled. Raun Johnson (1-40), Zaheer Mohamed (1-43), Royston Crandon (1-49) and Ricardo Adams (1-9) fought hard for their wickets. Earlier, Johnson, who resumed on five, picked up a slight niggle and retired hurt allowing Chanderpaul Hemraj (20) and Narsingh Deonarine (5) to spend some time in the middle, before Mohamed struck removing Hemraj while Crandon trapped Deonarine LBW.
When Johnson returned to the crease himself and Fudadin were involved in a fifth-wicket partnership of 71 which set the team on course for a huge score. After combatting the various types of bowlers, Fudadin, who played shots all around the ground, calmly brought up his century minutes before the close of play.
After the match, Fudadin told Stabroek Sports that it was “good to score some runs before the four-day tournament commences,” adding that it was tough batting on the Providence track and grafting was the approach needed. He thanked Allah for the strength to go out and score the runs he needed ahead of the tournament.
The action continues today at 9:30hrs.
