When play continued in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall First Division 2-day competition, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) hosted the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) at the GDF Ground and amassed a slender lead of 13 runs by stumps yesterday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, only all-rounder Kwesi Mickle’s 67 provided a backbone for GDF’s eventual 163, as the soldiers folded in the face of Javeed Rashid’s outstanding spell of 4/26 (12.2 overs).
After GDF opener Raqueel Reddy was caught off the bowling of Chris Harry with his side at 23, the hosts continued to lose wickets consistently despite Mickle’s defiant stand.
Only number 10 batsman Joshua Jones (23) provided any other form of resistance, as Chris Harry (3/38, 7 overs) and Ushardeva Balgobin (2/26, 7 overs) provided valuable support to Rashid.
In reply, the Everest batsmen could not complement the effort of their bowlers and were bowled out for 150 by stumps, giving GDF a 13-run lead heading into today’s play.
Much like the GDF innings, only Denesh Mangal, with a 37-ball 62, dragged Everest to a total of some decency after his side found themselves at 59/5 in the 20th over.
Mangal shared in a 73-run sixth wicket stand with his namesake Steven Mangal (17) taking Everest to 132 before he was bowled by Shamal Angel. After Denesh departed, Steven followed, and the end was quick as GDF wrapped up the Everest tail in quick time.
The standout with the ball for the army men was Angel with 3/25 (8.1 overs), while Joshua Jones (3/34) and Leon Andrew (3/55) also had three wickets apiece, with Delshawn McDonald snaring 1/28. Play resumes today at 9:30 a.m.
