Last year the two sides played to a tie in a match reduced to 20 overs-a-side at the Albion Community Centre ground.
Today, both Demerara and Berbice will be looking to emerge sole winners of the Guyana Cricket Board’s senior Inter County one day tournament.
Yesterday, both coaches, Garvin Nedd of Demerara and his counterpart Hubern Evans said the camps were optimistic heading into today’s final which will be played at the Albion Sports Complex Ground, Berbice.
“The guys are looking forward to maintaining their undefeated record and we are wary of playing Berbice at home. We are not looking to do anything different. We just plan on sticking to the plans and executing them properly,” said Nedd, the former first class player.
He lauded the support he has received from the team saying: “The players have given me their support. We have been preparing before and during the tournament so we are in good spirits and we‘re looking to maintain our good mood,” he declared.
He explained that despite three straight wins in the tournament including a thumping victory over the Berbicians, he is still cautious about the threats they possess in both departments.
“We know for a fact that Narsingh (Deonarine) has been a good customer at this level and Jonathan Foo with his 20/20 mode can be dangerous. Veerasammy Permaul and young Keon Joseph are very good bowlers so we are hoping that tomorrow is not a special day in the office for them.”
Evans, the former first-class batsman, said that his team will need to focus more on their fielding which he said has been below par as well as their batting which requires more stability and cohesiveness.
“Well, we took the loss seriously (when they were defeated by Demerara in the preliminary rounds) and we are looking to retain title come today. The fielding let us down and we are working on it. When batting we need to have partnerships and avoid losing wickets early,” said Evans.
Evans also pinpointed the ever-vocal and supportive Berbice crowd along with the home-field advantage as factors which will aid the Ancient county side in reclaiming the 50-over trophy.
“There’s no doubt we have to play aggressive cricket. It’s a highly anticipated clash and the home field advantage will play a huge part,” he said.
With both camps brimming with confidence, it is now up to the players to deliver come today. Demerara has been good throughout the tournament and the 100-plus run thumping which they handed Berbice last week at the Wales ground will definitely provide them with the necessary incentive needed for a clean sweep of the competition.
Batting wise, Demerara will look to Trevon Griffith, the leading run-scorer for the team and the second in the tournament behind Essequibo’s Kevon Boodie, for a flying start along with his possible opening partner/s Robin Bacchus or Andrew Lyght Jr. The middle order batsmen in Shemroy Barrington and Rajendra Chandrika are both in form having chalked up good scores so far.
The middle and lower order batsmen of skipper Chris Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Paul Wintz and others can certainly propel their side to a good score or dig themselves out of trouble if needed. Leg-spinner Raj Nannan has snared seven wickets from his two matches with a stingy economy rate of under five runs per over and a 
best of 4-25 against Berbice in his senior debut match.
Nannan should be the trump for Demerara both with his form and the psychological intimidation he brings to the match.
Wintz, Jacobs, Amir Khan, Barnwell and others are in good form and will provide good support to the young Nannan.
Berbice possess a dangerous bowling unit which will be led by West Indies Test spinner Permaul, backed up by the former West Indies U19 pacer Joseph.
Deonarine’s bowling will also play a huge part in the match as well as his batting while the likes of Kandasammy Surujnarine, national wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, Seon Hetmyer, Foo and others make up a dangerous batting unit heading into this all important encounter. The match is expected to start at 9:00hrs and admission to the ground is free.
