In an intense clash of cricket giants, Berbice emerged victorious against Demerara in a thrilling encounter during the opening match of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Inter-County Super-50 competition at the Blairmont Estate Cricket Community Development Centre Ground yesterday where they secured a 27-run win.
Berbice won the toss and elected to bat first, showing confidence in their ability to post a competitive total but were bundled out for 132 in 32.4 overs. Demerara, eager to chase down the meagre target, fielded a formidable lineup, but were routed for a paltry 105 in 25.5 overs.
Sinclair showed why he is considered one of the best off-spinners in the Caribbean, bagging a career-best at this level, 7-15 in 9.5 overs. Sinclair’s special saw him bowling West Indies’ Test opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul for one as well as his Guyana Harpy Eagles’ opening partner, Matthew Nandu who was trapped leg before wicket for 21 from 26 balls. While the batting line up struggled, Richie Looknauth was the only other batsman to reach double figures with a top score of 36 from 44 balls. His innings featured seven boundaries before Sinclair accounted for him too, his seventh wicket. Demerara were able to go past the triple figure landmark only because the Berbice bowlers gifted 26 extras, the second highest run tally of the innings.
Earlier, Berbice’s innings got off to a shaky start as they lost wickets early in their innings. Qumar Torrington removed Rampertab Ramnauth for a second-ball duck and Kevlon Anderson for seven.
Sinclair, who had been impressive with the ball, contributed with the bat as well, helping his team’s cause with a valuable 19 runs. However, the rest of the batting order struggled to find their footing.
Romario Shepherd top scored with 26 from 42 balls while cameos from the middle order propped up the paltry score. Seon Hetmyer made 18 before he was bowled by Sherfane Rutherford while Seon Glasgow made 17 and Gudakesh Motie made 11. Extras tallied 18.
Steven Sankar bagged 3-22 from 7.4 overs while Rutherford and Torrington bagged two wickets for 18 and 22 runs respectively.
