Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Demerara favored against Berbice in today’s Pepsi/Carib 20/20 opener
Esuan Crandon
Travis Dowlin
By Sean Devers
Defending champions Demerara are favored to beat Berbice when the arch-rivals clash at Blairmont from13:00hrs today in the opening match of the Pepsi/Carib Inter County 20/20 cricket tournament.
Led by Stanford Superstars squad member Travis Dowlin and strengthened by the inclusion of talented former Berbice left-hander Gajanand Singh, Demerara who beat Berbice in last year’s final at the Guyana National Stadium, is expected to prevail in Berbice’s own backyard especially if Singh, a former West Indies under-19 player, decides to justify his selection for his adopted county with one of his entertaining innings against ‘coming up against the house’ on what should be a slow track with assistance for the spinners.
The Demerara batting is strong despite the absence of their West Indies trio of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson and the pugnacious Chris Barnwell and either Shemroy Barrington or Rajendra Chandrika is expected to give their team a solid start on what should be a fast outfield.
Dowlin, Singh, Krishna Deosarran, Steven Jacobs, Deon Ferrier, Troy Gonsalves, Sauid Drepaul, Zaheer Mohamed and Kelon Carmichael are all capable batsmen while the Demerara bowling should be centered on plenty of spin.
Amit Jairam comes into the squad to replace Ravi Sarwan who injured his shoulder during practice and it is hoped that Sarwan will be fit enough for the remaining games. Berbice, without West Indies opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, will depend a lot on Test player Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Richard Ramdeen, Ranga Lachigadu, Assad Fudadin, Devon Clements, Balram Samaroo, Jonathan Foo, Esuan Crandon, Paul Wintz and Delbert Hicks as they hope to start on a winning note as they hunt a place in Friday night’s final under lights at the Stadium.
With the experienced Mahendra Nagamootoo out, Esuan Crandon will lead bowling attack which also includes plenty of spin.
Admission is $300 and it is hoped that the fans turn out to see what could be a keen contest despite the absence of the big name players.
Teams: Demerara (from) Travis Dowlin (Capt), Zaheer Mohamed (V/Capt), Chris Barnwell, Shemroy Barrington, Rajendra Chandrika, Gajanand Singh, Troy Gonsalves, Krishna Deosarran, Steven Jacobs, Sauid Drepaul, Kelon Carmichael, Deon Ferrier, Maxwell Fraser, Amit Jairam.
Berbice (From) Esuan Crandon (Capt), Assad Fudadin (V/Capt), Richard Ramdeen, Royston Crandon, Narsingh Deonarine, Ranga Lachigadu, Jonathan Foo, Delbert Hicks, Devon Clements, Veerasammy Permaul, Davendra Bishoo, Kwesi Maltay, Balram Samaroo, Paul Wintz.
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