Vishaul “Cheesy” Singh converted his first innings 50 into a majestic century yesterday which helped the Leon Johnson XI maintain a trong grip over the Shimron Hetmyer XI who trail by 204 runs heading into day three of the ongoing four day practice match played at the eorgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The left-handed Singh turned his overnight score of 76 into a stylish 123 with 11 fours, occupying the crease for 338 minutes and was by far the best batsman on show, utilizing the familiar conditions at his club ground to notch up the first three figure score of the match.
All-rounder Christopher Barnwell (43) struck four fours and one six but was unlucky to miss out on a half-century. He shared in a 105-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Singh as Johnson’s XI ended their first innings on 344.
Speedster Raun Johnson snared 3-29, ending as the most successful bowler and was supported by fellow fast-bowler Keon ‘Buffy” Joseph (2-60) while Gudakesh Motie, Steven Sankar and Javon Searles claimed a wicket each.
Opposition skipper Hetmyer tried to counterattack with a brisk half-century, 53 off 68-balls with nine fours. He found support from Tevin Imlach (26) and Kevon Boodie who looked ominous with his unbeaten 41. At stumps, the Hetmyer XI were 140 for 6 with Boodie and Searles on 7, currently involved in a 34-run partnership.
off-spinner Steven Jacobs grabbed 3-36 while there was a wicket each for Anthony Adams, Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul.
Hetmyer and his opening partner Kandasammy Surujnarine (06) started off their first innings chase in a watchful manner due to opposition captain Johnson giving his fast-bowlers three slips and a gully during their operation with the new ball. Reifer, who was sublime during his opening spell from the Regent Street End, angled the ball across to the right-handed Surujnarine who was eventually beaten by the swing and edged the left-arm seamer into the hands of Assad Fudadin, in third slip.
Imlach, the Under-19 right-hander joined his skipper with the score 31-1 and two added eight more runs to the total at the tea interval,
28 of which belonged to the skipper. The final session of the afternoon was also watchful between the two Under-19 batsmen who played sensible shots and took their team to the first 50 in their 20th over.
Hetmyer pressed on and brought up his 50 of 66 balls with nine fours but threw it away shortly after while attempting a pull shot and was caught at square-leg by Adams, giving Permaul his first wicket. Robin Bacchus was the next to go, out LBW for a run bowled by Jacobs.
Things went downhill for the batting side when Jacobs picked up two quick wickets, thanks to the experienced hands of elder statesman, Shiv Chanderpaul who was patrolling the short mid-wicket region and held onto a good catch which sent Imlach packing.
West Indies U19 all-rounder Kemo Paul (00) then became another LBW casualty when the off-spinner snuck one through and managed to trap the batsman leg before wicket. Wicket-keeper Dexter Solomon had his stumps disturbed by left-arm spinner Adams who immediately got into the action during his first over, leaving the Hetmyer XI reeling at 106-6.
As stumps approached Boodie and Searles negated the spinners took their team as close to the target as possible when they resume today.
Resuming on day two, Johnson’s XI were comfortably placed on 238 for 5 from 84 overs with the century maker Singh on 76 with four fours and Barnwell on 16. Barnwell batted positively during his partnership with Singh putting together a century stand before the left-hander reached his milestone with back-to-back fours off Motie.
The introduction of Raun Johnson proved to be the right move by Hetmyer as he rewarded his skipper with the wicket of Barnwell who caught by national youth opener Tevin Imlach seven runs short of what would have been a very good fifty.
As lunch approached, Singh lost two more partners in wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble (06) who was trapped LBW and all-rounder Steven Jacobs (00). Permaul (00) was pinned leg before wicket by Joseph who then wrapped up the innings by removing Singh who was caught at slip by Kemo Paul. Day three’s session bowls off at 9:00hrs today.
