A maiden unbeaten century by Demerara opener Trevon Griffith left opponents Berbice facing a daunting 378 more runs for victory heading into today’s fourth and final day in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County four-day tournament.
Played at the iconic Bourda Cricket Ground, Griffith became the third Demerara batsman to score a century in this match, notching up his innings top score of 102 off 149 deliveries with nine boundaries and was the backbone of the team’s second innings total of 186 for 5, which set the Berbicians a daunting 411 to win. Berbice bowlers were once again annihilated with the exception of the skipper Narsingh Deonarine who bowled well for his 3-43.
After resuming on 130-5 Berbice were bundled out for a meager 218 runs despite half-centuries from Johnathan Foo (51) and Anthony Bramble who played well for his 62.
Deonarine chipped in with a classy 30.
Seamer Paul Wintz bagged an impressive 4-54 while Zaheer Mohamed (2-29), Christopher Barnwell (2-65) and Griffith (1-6) all managed to make inroads as Berbice trailed by a huge first innings lead of 224 after being bowled out.
At stumps the Ancient County boys were heading into the final day losing the early wickets of Jason Sinclair (4) and Devon Clements (7) leaving the score 33 for 2 with Kandasammy Surujnarine (8*) and Keon Joseph (4*) set to resume their innings today.
Demerara lost Robin Bacchus (3) early in the second innings compliments of Deonarine whose break left the score 8-1 at the lunch interval. After the lunch break, Shemroy Barrington’s woes continued and he paid for it with his wicket, edging Deonarine to wicket-keeper Bramble.
Double centurion in the first innings Rajendra Chandrika retired hurt on 13 while Barnwell smacked a confident 36 and helped raised the team’s 100 before he was removed by Latcha.
Griffith continued to progress and soon brought up his 50 heading towards the break with their team at 107 for 3.
Upon the resumption of play Griffith and his skipper Vishaul Singh (17) continued the team’s acquisition of runs. Singh, fresh off a big first innings century found the middle of the bat often despite his sedate approach while Griffith found the gaps and picked up the occasional boundaries, eventually taking his score into the 80’s.
The Demerara skipper for the first time in three days after scoring a classical 153, lost his concentration and paid the price with his wicket, edging Deonarine into the waiting gloves of Bramble bringing an end to the pair’s 47-run partnership.
Griffith continued to exploit the Berbice bowlers and got into the 90’s with a thumping cut through point. Unfortunately, his partner Mohamed (10) was unable to hold his end down, succumbing to Crandon’s off-spin which edged into the gloves of a waiting Bramble.
The set left-hander who should have gotten four consecutive half-centuries in the 50-over format, reached his century with a crisp cover drive, celebrated in typical fashion and walked back to pavilion as Demerara declared, leaving Chandrika unbeaten on 15.
Earlier, overnight batsmen Bramble and new man in skipper Deonarine defied the Demerara bowlers for more than an hour of the morning’s first session. The duo played cautiously and Bramble who was 38 not out heading into the third day, brought up his half-century from 116 balls with seven fours. However, after a solid 58-run sixth wicket partnership, the hosts got the much needed breakthrough when Bramble was caught at forward short leg for 62.
Deonarine (30) was also dismissed courtesy of Mohamed who picked up his second big wicket of the game. Things began to fall apart for Berbice when Veerasammy Permaul (15) was caught behind off Wintz who then removed Steven Latcha (4) and Raun Johnson (6).
