GCB Inter-County Super50
– Essequibo through to finals via NRR
The Demerara juggernaut remains unstoppable after beating Essequibo in the third and final round of the round robin stage in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Super50 Championship at the GCC ground, Bourda.
Batting first, the defending champion were bowled out for 227 in 46 overs. Despite making what seemed a below-par total, Demerara returned with the ball to skittle Essequibo for 190, winning by 37 runs.
Despite the loss, Essequibo has qualified for tomorrow’s final via a superior Net Run Rate (NRR), edging Berbice and the GCB Select XI, despite all three of them ending the round-robin stage on one win each with two losses.
In fact, chasing the 228 for victory, the Essequibians just needed to get past 5 runs to qualify for the final.
Demerara had a stop-start innings as a couple of players got starts but failed to kick on. The in-form Akshaya Persaud turned in yet another man of the match performance, smacking 62 from 50 balls as he helped to propel his side to a competitive total.
Earlier, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Nandu had given a typical solid start, getting to 42 in nine overs before Nandu got out for a 30 ball 18.
Raymond Perez (8) and skipper Tevin Imlach (2) then made brief stays at the crease, departing to leave Demerara at 72/3. Chanderpaul, who got to an uncharacteristically brisk 41 (46 balls), departed shortly after Imlach, leaving the side in a tricky situation at 80/4 in the 18th over.
Persaud, like the games before, changed the complexion of the match, smashing six sixes and a solitary four during his stay. Richie Looknauth played second fiddle, getting 39 (37 balls) as they put on 57 runs for the fifth wicket.
After Persaud and Looknauth were dismissed, Devon Lord contributed a valuable 16 at the back end, as Demerara were bowled out for 227. Leading the way for Essequibo with the ball was Keemo Paul, who captured 3/43 from his 10 overs, while Quentin Sampson and skipper Antony Adams took two wickets each in supporting roles.
Chasing 228 for victory, Essequibo’s top order all got starts but could not convert in order to achieve a successful chase. Openers Kevon Boodie (26), Ricardo Peters (19), along with Ricardo Adams (27), Kanhaiya Ramkarran (39) and Kemol Savory (30), all got substantial starts, but their dismissals opened the door for Demerara to clean up the batting order.
Lord was once again the spearhead of Demerara’s attack, claiming 3-51 (10 overs) to end as the leading wicket taker in the round-robin phase. He was well supported by Ashmead Nedd (2-33, 9.4 overs) and Persaud, who capped a brilliant all-round performance with 2-8 (3 overs).
Speaking to Stabroek Sports after the match, Persaud noted that his consistent performances with the bat are just a matter of him reaping the rewards of hard work during the off season.
Meanwhile, Lord, who has been quietly consistent at the club level, told this publication that he is seizing his opportunities at the inter-county level and is enjoying the fruits of hard work. While he is in line for a maiden call up to the senior national side, he noted that he is not looking too far ahead.
Tomorrow’s final, a replay of yesterday’s clash, will be played at the same venue at 9:00am.
