Rajendra Chandrika’s double century helped flattened a hapless Berbice who trail by the huge margin of 312 runs heading into day three of the ongoing Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County 4-day tournament at the Bourda Cricket Ground yesterday.
The stylish right-hander scored a delightful 219, accented with 24 eye-catching fours and one six which required 363 balls and 481 minutes. He shared a massive 300-run partnership with his skipper Vishaul Singh who scored 153. All-rounder Chris Barnwell (25), Shemroy Barrington 11 and Zaheer Mohamed 14 not out, all batted around Chandrika to help take their team to a first innings declaration total of 442 for 6.
The Berbice bowlers continued to battle for a breakthrough on the second day, even the class of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul was denied as he was put to the sword by the likes of Chandrika and company, ending with horrendous figures of 38-5-123-1. Fast bowler Raun Johnson was the most successful bowler and the best of the lot ending with figures of 4-68 and Royston Crandon accounted for one wicket.
Chasing a daunting total, Berbice were 130 for 5 from 46.5 overs at stumps with Anthony Bramble unbeaten on 38 and Johnathan Foo top scoring with 51. Barnwell picked up 2-40, Paul Wintz 1-31 and Trevon Griffith the big wicket of Foo.
During Berbice’s’ first innings, Barnwell struck early removing opener Jason Sinclair (2) who constantly fishing outside the off-side at previous deliveries. However, his fishing antics backfired and he was instead caught by wicket-keeper Joseph Perry behind the stumps, while Wintz supported his Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) teammate with the wicket of Devon Clements (1) who was given out LBW.
Heading into tea, Berbice were 40-2 with Surujnarine and Crandon on 21 and 7 respectively. The final session of the afternoon started off in favor on the Demerara boys who celebrated in authoritative fashion after Barnwell disturbed the stumps of Crandon for 7.
Despite the early setbacks, Surujnarine was watchful and continued to find the gaps until he was unfortunately run out for 22, as his side slipped to 54-4. The pugnacious Foo came to the middle and steadied the innings with Bramble after the collapse of their top order.
The big-hitting Foo raised the team’s 100 with a straight drive down the ground as the two right-handers continued a good passage of play. Foo after a watchful innings and six commanding shots for four brought up his brisk 50 with a flick which yielded three runs.
The big wicket of Foo fell at the stroke of stumps when part-timer Griffith got a successful LBW decision, as umpires brought curtains down on the second day due to bad light.
Earlier, Demerara resuming on a first day score of 320 for 3 with Chandrika unbeaten on 138, added 14 more runs to their overnight total before rain interrupted play for approximately 69 minutes. Upon resumption of play, Chandrika and Barnwell, who resumed his innings on two before he was dismissed by the off-spinner Crandon, added 54-runs during their brief passage together after the new ball was taken.
The 25-year-old who looked positive from ball one, got to his 150 from 273 balls minutes before the lunch break as they entered that intermission comfortably placed on 371-4. Resuming his innings in the afternoon session with new batsman Barrington who was caught by Clements off Permaul’s bowling, added a vital 47.
Chandrika then reached his milestone with another crisp boundary and celebrated his double hundred which required 343 balls and featured 23 boundaries. However, after reaching his milestone, the master-class innings was ended with the right-hander was adjudged leg-before by Johnson.
