GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-county…
Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette
A fair-sized crowd watched Berbice U-15 dethroned Demerara by a slim margin; winning by two wickets in a low-scoring thriller at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda. Batting first, Demerara were bowled out for 83, compliments of player of the match, Sanjay Algoo, who bagged 4-9. In reply, Berbice reached their target, ending on 87-8 in 44.2 overs after a crafty inning of 22 by star-player Salim Khan.
Earlier, Demerara won the toss and elected to bat first under glorious sunshine. Berbice made early inroads, picking up the first Demerara wicket at 6-1. Pacer Shiv Harripersaud removed Ryan Latif for four followed by Sachin Balgobin for five at 16-2. Berbice then unleashed their spin trio; Sanjay Algoo, Matthew Pottaya and Khan.
With Romeo Deonarine out of Demerara XI, the city side displayed some poor batting. Two wickets bite the dust at 33 and Demerara was tottering at 33-4 after 11.1 overs. Algoo, the younger brother of former Guyana U-19 player, Alex Algo got himself in the wicket columns. Demerara lost their final seven wickets for 50 runs. Leg-spinner Algoo ended with 4-9 in 4.5 overs as Demerara were bowled out for 83 in 35.5 discipline overs.
Harripersaud had 2-15 in his five overs while off-spinners, Salim Khan (1-14) and Pottoya (1-17) had one wicket each. Khan took his wicket tally this season to 12, ending as the leading wicket-taker while Pottaya finished with nine wickets in the tournament. Demerara’s vice-captain Nityanand Matura top-scored for Demerara with 17 from 69 balls while Josh Alves (12) and Hemraj Harripersaud (13) were the batsmen to reach double figures.
In Berbice chase, they lost captain Rampertab Ramnauth for 17 from 19 balls after timing three exquisite boundaries. Ramnauth played around a Wayvell Allen delivery and had his stumps shattered. Berbice reached 26-1 at lunch requiring 58 runs for victory post the lunch interval. Demerara then came out with determination in the afternoon session. Berbice was reeling at 47-6 after 21.4 overs.
It was the savior Khan who showed his skill, this time around in the batting department. He made a game-changing 22, the highest score of the game. His innings, which spanned 69 minutes and 62 balls took Berbice close to the target. He added 35 runs with wicket-keeper batsman Damion Cecil. Khan attempting to finish in style found the fielder at mid-on and was dismissed.
A top effort from Demerara ended when Pottaya sealed the match in style with a boundary. Berbice ended on 87-8 in 44.2 overs, completing a tense two-wicket win. The Select U-15 team will be announced shortly to play in the Inter-county U-17 tournament that is slated for Tuesday, February 25.
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