A fearsome spell of fast bowling from West Indies speedster Ronsford Beaton and another impressive innings from Kemol Savory, guided defending champs Essequibo to a commanding 122-run win over Georgetown in the opening round of the 2019 SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day League at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground Bourda, Sunday.
Chasing a target of 222 for victory, Georgetown was shot out 99 in 26 overs with Beaton snapping up 5-18 from six fiery overs to complete the formality.
The 27-year-old, who last played for the West Indies almost two years ago, dislodged four of the first five wickets – Raymond Perez (6), Robin Bacchus (0), Winston Forrester (4) and Christopher Barnwell (0) to leave the hosts staring down the barrel early on. He completed his five-for by removing a refreshed looking Steven Jacobs (24) who was the last man out.
Beaton received valuable support from skipper Anthony Adams (2-26) and Akinie Adams (2-28); the latter had the prize scalp of skipper Leon Johnson (23) and top scorer Joshua Persaud (26).
Earlier, Essequibo posted 221 for nine from their allotted overs on the back of a fine half-century from Savory who carved out six fours and two maximums in his knock of 81.
The left-hander was brutal on anything short. He manufactured the shot of the day – a ferocious pull over mid-wicket off Qumar Torrington (3-64) – and shared a critical half-century stand with Beaton (26) which aided in carrying the defending champs to what turned out to be a formidable total.
Pramesh Parsotam (23) and Quintin Sampson (28) were the other major scorers as Ashmead Nedd (2-20) and Jacobs (2-21) from their 10 tidy overs ended as Georgetown’s most successful bowlers on the day. Paul Wintz (2-42) was also among the wickets.
Meanwhile, West Berbice completed a commanding 10-wicket win over East Coast at Lusignan to begin their campaign on a winning note. East Coast was bundled out for 53 in 22 overs.
Keon Joseph (2-10), Gudakesh Motie (3-15) and Kevin Sinclair (3-36) did the damage.
The Berbice side completed the win by romping home at 54-0 inside 12 overs with Sinclair returning to smash an unbeaten 36.
