A robust century from the in-form Johnathan Foo headlined yesterday’s rain-affected second day between Georgetown and Lower Corentyne in the ongoing Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League three -day tournament.
The second round of the competition, played at Albion Community Center Ground, got off to a good start on day two before savage showers forced officials to abandon play shortly before tea.
Upon delivering the verdict to both skippers; Veerasammy Permaul and Chris Barnwell, the groundsmen confirmed that play on today’s final day, will begin on time.
They, however, noted that the main focus will be the boundary area which took the brunt of the rain.
Foo followed up his first round 152 with another commanding innings of 127, decorated with six fours and seven sixes from just 121 balls, propelling Lower Corentyne to 249-5 in reply to Georgetown’s first innings 212.
At stumps the home team managed a meagre lead of 37 with Sharaz Ramcharran unbeaten on 21 and Permaul (09*).
Georgetown were heavily indebted to off-spinners Gajanan Suknanan who bowled extremely well for his two wickets.
Play began at 9:30hrs sharp under some brilliant sunshine with David Latchaya and Foo resuming their innings on 02 and 75 respectively and their side trailing by a first innings deficit of 89 runs.
Foo didn’t open up much as he decided to play calmly towards his second century of the competition, getting there of just 103 balls.
After reaching his century, Foo freed his arms a bit by nailing a few maximums one which disappeared somewhere outside the Albion Ground.
With two set batters in the middle, Lower Corentyne soon wiped off their deficit and began to build a slight lead. However, Suknanan was more than happy to give the ball a bit of flight and was rewarded for his bravery by getting the big breakthrough for Georgetown, trapping the century maker Foo lbw.
Georgetown bowlers did well to hit the pads of the Corentyne batters on numerous occasions, only to have their shouts overruled by the umpires, but one successful lbw appeal brought a couple more as Devon Lord picked up his second wicket of the match when he pinned Latchaya for 29.
Suknanan continued to flight the ball to the batsmen and managed to outfox wicket-keeper/batsman Akeem Hinds (18) who was also out leg before wicket. Permaul hit a couple of fours, one of which was sweetly driven down to the long-off boundary while Ramcharran found the fence on a few occasions but was seemingly keen on rotating the strike.
The mini partnership looked fruitful before the heavens opened up and unleashed a period of heavy showers which only lasted a few minutes but was enough to relegate most of the Albion Ground to a swampy state.
Lower Corentyne were also a bit unlucky as they failed to acquire one more run which would have taken them to 250, thus affording them the two additional batting points but are nevertheless in a good position to achieve that landmark today.
Day three’s action will bowl off at 9:30hrs today.
