Spinners took the lion’s share of wickets yesterday as the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) secured first innings’ leads over Malteenoes Sports Club and Police Sports Club respectively.
On the first day of the Georgetown GISE/Star Party Rental/Trophy Stall, first-division, two-day tournament, at GCC, the hosts won the toss and batted but were bundled out for 129 in 37.1 overs. Malteenoes, in reply, were routed for 126 in 37.1 overs. GCC duly converted their three-run lead to 57 without losing a wicket as Winston Forrester struck five fours and a six, which landed on the top tier of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) office on his way to 41 not out. He was supported by Navindra Persaud with 11 not out.
GCC’s first innings was off to a solid start as Forrester (30) and Persaud (11) shared a 46-run opening stand. However, apart from Ronaldo Alimohamed’s top score of 33 from 31 balls, GCC were dismissed cheaply as Malteenoes showed discipline in the field to hold on to most of their opportunities.
Nichosie Barker led the Malteenoes bowling attack with 4-46, complemented by Diquan Murray (3-30) and Delon Dalrymple (2-29).
Malteenoes’ innings was well on its way to gaining a first innings lead after Barker returned to make 38 from 54 balls and Jeremiah Scott chipped in with a brisk 22-ball 33. However, it was left-arm spinner, Stephon Wilson, who bagged 4-22 and leg spinner’s Leon Johnson’s 2-14 that proved pivotal. Alimohamed also got among the wickets with 2-37.
Over at the Eve Leary Ground, Police won the toss and posted 184 from 44.1 overs while reigning champions, DCC managed a nine-run lead before being bowled out for 193 in 51.5 overs.
Dwain Dick top scored for Police with 46 from 26 balls, carving five sixes and two fours before holding out to Carlton Jacques off of Christopher Barnwell. Kevin Christian also got a good start with 40 from 58 balls before being trapped leg before wicket to Raj Nanan (1-20). Christian added 47 for the fifth wicket with Pernell London who persisted with a 50-ball 22. Andrew Lyght Jr., made a 21-run cameo before Steven Sankar rocked the order with 4-70. Jacques and Trevon Garraway picked up two wickets each.
When it was DCC’s time to bat, Barnwell returned to hammer 56 from 77 balls. His innings featured two sixes and three fours. Tevin Imlach supported with 31 from 77 balls, laced with four boundaries before he was bowled by Antony Adams who returned 4-49. Cameos also came from Raymond Perez (23) and Trevon Griffith (21). Dick and London returned to pick up 3-54 and 2-31 respectively.
Both matches continue today from 09.30 hours.
