BERBICE, Guyana, CMC – Narsingh Deonarine hit an unbeaten half-century that lifted Guyana to a comfortable six-wicket win and eliminated Leeward Islands, in the fourth round of the KFC Cup yesterday.
Playing at Albion, Deonarine stroked an attractive 65 that guided the hosts to 234 for four off 46.2 overs, overtaking Leewards’ 233 for eight off 50 overs.
The result negated a fine effort by Shane Jeffers who hit a magnificent even century with nine fours and a five from 139 balls for the losers.
Guyana’s purposeful march to victory was engineered by a fluent unbroken 100-run fifth wicket partnership between Man-of-the-Match Deonarine and Assad Fudadin, who was unbeaten on 35 at the end.
The left-handed pair joined forces with their team in a spot of bother on 134 for four and with classy stroke-play, ensured a comfortable Guyana victory.
Deonarine struck six boundaries from 77 balls while Fudadin notched three fours and a six in his 44-ball innings.
Guyana were off to an entertaining start as Sewnarine Chattergoon (9) smacked fast bowler Adam Sanford for consecutive boundaries in the third over before pulling a catch to square-leg to leave the hosts at 19 for one.
Travis Dowlin then hammered 49 and Royston Crandon, 40, as they delighted the crowd with a 75-run second wicket stand.
Crandon hit two fours and a six from 65 balls before he was trapped lbw to Kerry Jeremy at 94 for two.
Ramnaresh Sarwan made 17 and had begun to look dangerous when he was bowled off the inside edge by Sanford as Guyana slipped to 124 for three.
Dowlin fell 10 runs later, top-edging a hook off the lively Sanford to be caught at the wicket after facing 54 balls and striking two fours.
Deonarine, playing before his home crowd, and Fudadin then revived Guyana’s fortunes with their enterprising partnership.
Sanford was the best bowler with three for 40.
Earlier, Jeffers’ century was the highlight of the Leewards innings after they chose to bat first on winning the toss.
He shared an 82-run third wicket stand with captain Sylvester Joseph who stroked 36 from 62 balls as Leewards recovered after a shaky start.
When Joseph was run out by a brilliant return by Royston Crandon from deep square-leg, the Leewards struggled and only Justin Athanaze (43) and Omari Banks (23) showed any resistance thereafter.
Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo was the leading bowler with three for 31 while Deon Ferrier grabbed two for 60.
Leewards have no chance of reaching the semi-finals after losing their fourth straight match.
