All-rounder Kemo Paul blasted an unbeaten 118 which steered Essequibo to a three-wicket win over the President’s X1 yesterday in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U19 Inter-County three-day tournament, played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.
Paul bore the responsibility of taking their team to a significant win by hammering 10 fours and three sixes in his responsible knock batting at number 4, as the Essequibians surged to their target of 260 in 59.1 overs.
Resuming their innings on 112 for 6, the President’s X1 were bowled out before lunch only managing to add 49 runs. Keno Harry (42), Ryan Adams (25*), Shivindra Hemraj (23) and Travis Drakes (13) all supported Paul in his crusade. Daniel Lewis (3-44) and Vivian Albert (2-56) were the most successful bowlers for the President’s X1.
Off-spinner Akil Wallace, who picked up his second five wicket haul in the match, finished with (5-74) while Akini Adams (2-21) aided in the President’s X1 all out collapse for 161, giving them a lead of 259 runs.
Essequibo lost both openers, Avenash Persaud (0) and Ricardo Peters (17) before lunch, but after the resumption of play, Paul cut loose and was merciless in his innings, using his feet well against the spinners and chipping the pacers around eventually taking his team across the line.
The final round starts tomorrow with Berbice playing Essequibo at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
