Narsingh Deonarine and Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai propelled Berbice to a comprehensive victory as Essequibo’s misery at the senior level continued with a nine-wicket defeat in two days of their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior inter-county four-day match yesterday.
Deonarine scored 93 and took three wickets in the match played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground. Kanhai, who collected 6-39, added to Essequibo’s pain as the side from the Cinderella County suffered their second defeat in this year’s tournament.
Deonarine’s top score of 93 posted 273 for the Berbicians, who started the second day at 130-3. He continued where he left off on the first day after resuming his innings on 43 along with his overnight partner Jonathan Foo, who was on 13. The pair added 52 runs within the first hour of the day before Foo was given out leg before wicket to Anthony Adams for 33.
The left-handed batsman Deonarine fell seven runs short of his century for an innings that contained 11 fours and three sixes,
while lasting 119 deliveries.
Hemchand Persaud led Essequibo’s bowling attack with figures of 3-25, while skipper Anthony Adams and Royan Fredricks collected two wickets each.
In their second turn at the crease, Essequibo’s batsmen were haunted by quality spin bowling from former West Indies U-19 spinner Kanhai, who made constant inroads into a frail batting line up. Kanhai’s first five wicket haul at the senior level restricted Essequibo to 166 in 50.5 overs. Anthony Adams, who moved up to bat at number three and Ricardo Peters were the only batsmen to pass 20, making 40 and 22 respectively.
Kanhai’s destructive spell was complemented by Deonarine’s effort as he collected three wickets with his off spin.
Set a target of 67 to win the match, Berbice raced to victory in 10.3 overs, with Kandasammy Surujnarine and Devon Clements unbeaten on 45 and 4 respectively.
Seon Hetmyer, who fell victim to Persaud, was the only batsman that got out during Berbice’s victory charge.
The win keeps Berbice’s hopes of winning the title alive, as they prepare to face the GCB Development Team from Tuesday at the Wales Community Development ground.
Meanwhile Essequibo, who continue to show inconsistencies at this level will have to improve their game to prevent another humiliation as they prepare to face competition leaders Demerara from Tuesday.
Scores in the match: Berbice first innings 273 all out in 69.1 overs; Deonarine (93),
Hetmyer (37) and Foo (33) while Persaud collected 3-25 and Anthony Adams and Fredricks took two wickets each. Berbice second innings 70-1 in 10.3 overs – Surujnarine (45).
Essequibo first innings 173 all out in 47.1 overs; Ricardo Adams (62), Peters (38) and Fredricks (30) while Permaul claimed 5-24 and Clements 2-25. Essequibo second innings 166 all out in 50.5 overs; Anthony Adams (40) and Peters (22) while Kanhai captured 6-39 and Deonarine 3-34.
