Christopher Barnwell’s double strike in fading light brought Demerara Cricket Club back into the contest after Georgetown Cricket Club opener Ryan Hemraj chalked up a half-century on day one of the Georgetown Cricket Association/Star Party Rentals/GISE/Trophy Stall first-division two-day tournament yesterday.
At GCC, the hosts won the toss and opted to bat first. Rain forced a delay to the start of the contest and again with GCC 44 without loss. Eventually, GCC closed on 127 for three after 40 overs of play.
Hemraj was watchful in his 74-ball innings on his way to 56.
He struck seven boundaries, one of which was driven through the covers to bring up the team’s 50 and his last, pulled through mid-wicket to bring up his half-century.
He was dropped two balls later by Joshua Persaud running towards short third man from behind the stumps, a difficult chance, but Persaud would extract his revenge by stumping the opener off of legspinner, Steven Sankar.
Hemraj had shared an opening stand of 92 with Navindra Persaud who frustrated DCC with a 114-ball innings.
He closed the day on 39 and stroked five boundaries along the way.
At the other end, he lost Mavendra Dindyal who was caught behind off a lifting delivery from Barnwell for 23 and Aryan Persaud who played onto the stumps off the next delivery.
Zachary Jodah joined Navindra Persaud and closed on three not out as Barnwell ended with 2-19 and Sankar, 1-31.
The match resumes today at 9.30 hours.
