A fighting half-century from Akshaya Persaud stood out on day one of the first Best versus Best four-day match at Albion Community Centre Ground, Berbice yesterday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Leon Johnson’s XI climbed to a close of play score of 188 for seven after 91 overs under sunny and windy conditions.
The Everest Cricket Club left-hander showed his grit, spending over three ours at the crease where he faced 152 balls on his way to 54 not out. During that time, he managed to stroke four boundaries after facing 152 balls.
The 24-year-old shared the most fruitful partnership of the day, an unfinished 43, with Clinton Pestano who is currently at the crease on 24 not out from 71 balls.
Earlier, Raymon Perez was the first to go after Mavindra Dindyal held on to a catch off of West Indies left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul, for nine.
Permaul would then take a catch to dismiss Kemol Savory for seven off of Junior Sinclair while Keemo Paul bowled Tagenarine Chanderpaul who withstood 94 deliveries for his 27.
Veterans, Johnson and Vishaul Singh, then saw their team to lunch on 47 for three. The Georgetown Cricket Club duo shared in a 29-run partnership before Singh was trapped leg before wicket to Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club pacer, Sylus Tyndall, for 13.
Shortly after, Johnson was back in the shed for a 79-ball 25 after holding out to Paul off of Demerara Cricket Club seamer, Qumar Torrington.
Persaud, who has represented Guyana in two First-Class matches, along with Jonathan Rampersaud ensured their side didn’t lose another wicket as they went to tea on 107 for five.
However, Rampersaud could not add to his score at tea (07) as he faced just five balls after the interval before handing wicketkeeper, Tevin Imlach, a textbook catch behind the stumps off of West Berbice’s Seon Glasgow.
Zachary Jodah retired not out on one while West Indies’ limited overs all-rounder, Kevin Sinclair, joined Persaud and wasted no time as he raced to 16 from 10 before falling to left-arm spinner, Ashmead Nedd.
The action resumes today at 10.00 hours.
