A captain’s performance from Kevon Boodie in the second innings for Police has helped them take control of the second semi-final of the Georgetown Cricket Association/ Star Party Rental/ GISE/ Trophy Stall division one, two-day tournament with a lead of 63, despite Guyana National Industrial Cooperation (GNIC) taking first innings points at the end of day one at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.
GNIC won the toss and sent Police in to bat where they were bundled out for 94 in 36.2 overs while GNIC replied with 138 all out. Police then ended the day on 107-2 with Boodie unbeaten on 45 and Jason George on 10.
A late start due to moisture on the pitch ensured the spinners would have a wonderful day with the oldest first division player in Guyana at 61 years old, Clyde Butts, strangling the lower order with his offbreak bowling to finish with 4-8 from just 7.2 overs.
The former West Indies bowler was superb at one end, flighting the ball beautifully but the foundation was set by offbreak bowler, Gajanan Suknanan who returned figures of 3-37. However, teenage seamer, Jermaine Benjamin effortlessly removed the dangerous Police top order to end with 3-25. Aggressive Andrew Lyght Jr., was the first wicket to fall while Boodie carved just one four and one six for his 10 runs from 15 balls. With the top blown away, Pernell London stayed a while at the crease for his top score of 20 while Chemroy Kendall and Jason Heyliger supported with 18 and 14 respectively as Police lasted just five minutes after tea.
In GNIC’s first innings, Police were very sloppy in the field putting down four conventional catches that allowed Quincy Ovid-Richardson to climb up to 32 from 55 balls despite being dropped on 12 while Vidal Crandon was also dropped on 21 but was trapped leg before wicket by Raun Johnson of the very next delivery.
GNIC were kept in check with Heimchan Persaud following up his six-wicket haul against Malteenoes in his previous first-division match to snatch 6-46 from 13 overs of classic left-arm orthodox bowling on the turning wicket. But the show began with just one hour of play left and saw Lyght Jr., taking on Benjamin and smashing him for 14 runs in his first over before holing out to David Dick at long off in the same over.
Boodie then batted his way back to form, leaving the bad balls and taking on the bowlers. Along with Kemol Savory, he was especially brutal to Butts as they shared a 66-run stand for the second wicket before Savory was caught off a sharp catch at first slip for 29 with three fours and two sixes.
The action resumes at 09.30hrs with Police needing to win outright to advance while GNIC will needs at least a draw to move on to the final and face Demerara Cricket Club.
