A comprehensive all-round performance from Junior Sinclair ensured Berbice defeat Essequibo by six wickets in the first round of the Hand-In-Hand Inter-County Under-19 50-overs tournament at the Albion Sports Complex ground yesterday.
After play was delayed by 20 minutes due to a light shower, Inter-County cricket returned to the Ancient County after a 13-year hiatus with Essequibo winning the toss and electing to bat first.
Essequibo struggled to construct partnerships and they were eventually rolled over for 123 in 42.4 overs.
In reply, the defending champions reached 124-4 in 24.5 overs.
Essequibo were kept in check with the regular loss of wickets due to tight spin bowling. Left-arm spinner, Nigel Deodat was the pick of the bowlers taking 2-16. He was supported by off-spinner, Junior Sinclair with 2-22.
Berbice were relaxed in the field, dropping three catches but nevertheless the outcome was never in doubt.
Orlando Jailall looked solid with his top score of 37. He stroked two boundaries in his 73-ball innings but was run out on a free hit after Azim Mohammed tapped a low full toss directly to Seon Glasgow at point, who returned a safe throw to send Jailall on his way.
Apart from Jailall, Ameer Singh, who was dropped on five and retired not out on 13, returned at the fall of Jailall’s wicket to eventually construct a 16-run innings before a shimmy down the wicket saw his stumps being split by Glasgow while Mahesh Ramnarine, on debut looked the part with an important 35-ball 16.
In the chase, Essequibo had their tails up with Alex Algoo (07) feathering a faint edge off of Romario Stephen to the wicket-keeper while Glasgow was bowled for a three-ball duck to see them going to lunch on 35-2.
However, player of the match, Sinclair, returned to blister a match defining 58. Sinclair dominated the bowling, taking a liking to Elian Whyte who was smashed for a six off a free hit over long on. His second six was pulled into mid-wicket to complement his four fours.
Sinclair’s 74-ball innings was contrastingly ended with a soft catch at cover.
Sinclair was supported by Kevlon Anderson with a 36-ball 28, consisting of four fours and the pair shared a 71-run partnership before Anderson was caught at point.
Garfield Benjamin took charge with a quick-fire unbeaten 17 laced with two boundaries to seal the game.
