Demerara skipper June Ogle scored a scintillating century to propel her side to a record-breaking victory over an inexperienced Essequibo side in the opening match of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Women’s Inter-county Competition.
Played at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday, Ogle smashed Essequibo’s bowlers for an unbeaten 162 from 137 balls out of her team’s total of 364-2 in 50 overs. In reply Essequibo was knocked over for a dismal 17 runs in 11.3 overs as eight batters failed to score.
The discarded West Indies player Ogle, who was involved in three century partnerships, recorded the highest individual score
at this level. She combined with Latoya Smith (45) for an opening stand worth 105, then with Odessa Oneil (42) who batted at number three for 102 and finally, Ogle shared in the highest third wicket partnership (at this level) of 156 runs with Kamita Yadram (52).
Ogle manipulated the ball into gaps early in her innings but was especially severe in the latter part where she struck 10 of her 14 boundaries. It was a very entertaining innings, especially the thunderous straight-driven boundary and a whip off her legs through midwicket that evaded three fielders and went crashing into the boundary. Ogle, who made her national debut in 2003 under the current Essequibo coach Vibert Johnson, looked a class above everyone else on display during the match. Her innings gave her the player of the match award at the end of the game. Sheniegh Calvan with 1-81 from her quota of 10 overs and Mayon Boson who claimed 1-65 also from 10 overs were the pick of the bowlers for Essequibo. While Gooberdan was the most economical with figures of 0-53 from her 10 overs.
Replying to the host’s total, Essequibo’s batters looked at sea from the first deliveries until the last wicket fell. The Cinderella County fielded seven debutants who clearly lacked the ability to compete at this level. It was even more obvious as eight of the batters failed to score. Extras top scored with eight, while Daveena Goberdan (4), Natoya Elexy (3) and Amrita Mohabir were the only batters to trouble the scorers.
Pacer Akaze Thompson with three wickets led Demerara’s attack as Essequibo was bundled out for its second lowest score at this level (lowest 13 against Demerara in 2010), while Leema Harris, Hema Singh and Smith claimed two wickets each.
The competition continues today at the same venue with Essequibo set to face Berbice from 9:30 a.m.
