A rain-hit second day of the Hand-In-Hand Under-19 Inter-County second round clash at Lusignan Community Centre ground saw Essequibo bowled out for 62 in just over an hour’s play in response to Berbice’s first innings of 200 in 76.1 overs.
With scattered showers and a moist wicket, Berbice resumed their innings in a spot of bother at 107-6, but overnight batsmen, Nigel Deodat and Garfield Benjamin mustered an 85-run stand to revive the innings.
Deodat, who resumed on 10 attacked the bowlers with aggressive shots through the covers and down the ground.
He clubbed his four boundaries through the mid-wicket area as he strolled to a valiant 48 from 84 balls, only giving one chance to Essequibo when he was on 20.
Deodat’s aggressive nature led to his demise as he looked to work off-spinner, Amit through cover but managed to pick out the only fielder in that area, Jeremiah Scott.
Benjamin, who began the day on 13, was also given a life on 37, just before tea. He went on to bring up an even half century with a brisk single before holing out to Elian Whyte at cover off of Persaud to hand him his second five-wicket haul in as many matches. During Benjamin’s two-hour innings, he stroked a six over mid-wicket off of Persaud in addition to his four boundaries.
Persaud added the wicket of Leon Swamy (12) to his account as he ended the match with 6-93 to bring his tournament total to 13 while fellow, off-spinner, Lance Roberts ended with 4-42.
Essequibo were then routed by left-arm spinner and West Indies Under-19 prospect, Kelvin Umroa who snatched his second five-wicket haul of the tournament as well. Resuming after tea on 20 without loss, Umroa removed Orlando Jailall with the second ball of the session after he picked Deodat out at cover for his top score of 18, consisting of three fours.
He also sent back Roberts (0) and Jeremiah Scott (4) in the same over. Umroa closed the innings when Junior Sinclair stumped Adrian Rankripaul off the first ball of the 28th over to finish with 5-24.
The Albion player was supported by Kevlon Anderson who was equally impressive, dismantling the top order taking 3-12, including the wickets of Kevin Christian (14) and Ameer Singh, both of whom were sharply caught at first slip by Alex Algoo. Left-arm seamer, Chris Harry bagged Persaud with a ball that crept under his bat in an attempted defensive shot and Whyte (10) who was beaten for pace and trapped leg before wicket to finish with 2-6.
With Berbice establishing a healthy lead, the day’s play was forced to conclude prematurely at 16:50 hrs, bringing a total of three hours and 20 minutes of play missed.
As a result, today’s play will begin at 09:30 hrs with rain expected.
