Grisean Grant and Balchand Baldeo ripped through the Demerara batting lineup sharing seven wickets to help Berbice romp to a commanding 216-run win over the hosts on the final day of round two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) three-day U19 tourney, played at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.
Grant, the right-arm quick scythed through the Demerara top order minutes before stumps on the second day and returned to bag the final wicket on day three, finishing with figures 4-33. Off-spinner Baldeo snatched 3-20, as the two Berbicians shot down the hosts for 81 in 27.3 overs, 12 minutes into play on the final day in pursuit of their target of 298 runs.
Demerara resumed their uphill hunt on 71-8 with all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford (13) and Daniel Basdeo (03) at the crease.
Rutherford started off positively with a few drives and flicks and sought to play his shots without pressure.
However, the seemingly impossible task proved to be too much for the national youth player and for Demerara as a team when Baldeo managed to sneak a delivery through the gates of the all-rounder.
The final nail in the coffin was put in by Grant who maintained his pace, bowling in the right areas, and eventually snaring the final wicket of Basdeo who was caught by Daniel Lewis in the slip cordon as the entire team celebrated their comprehensive win to much elation.
Berbice were indebted to senior Guyana and West Indies U19 batsman Shimron Hetmyer who slammed a brisk 114 in the second innings, sharing a 169-run partnership with Baldeo who scored 66. The two helped pilot Berbice to 250 despite Rutherford bagging 5-68.
The next round of the tournament which is sponsored by Raj Singh Insurance Brokers will feature Demerara looking to bounce back against the National U17 side at Everest while a keen clash between the in-form Essequibo and Berbice sides is expected to light up the Enmore Community Center ground. The matches take place tomorrow.
