Latest update February 5th, 2025 11:03 AM
Christian (113), Dowlin (71*) lead Guyana fight-back
By Sean Devers
In what was easily his best ever innings, Derwin Christian yesterday became the first Guyanese wicketkeeper to score a first-class century since Milton Pydanna scored an unbeaten 117 against Jamaica in Montego Bay in 1980 and Christian’s third score over 50 at first-class level was as responsible as it was brutal.
Guyana Wicketkeeper Derwin Christian launches into a big drive off Wavell Hinds during his maiden first-class century against Jamaica yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
The pugnacious right-hander reached his maiden ton in his 22nd game at this level at better than a run-a-ball and dominated an important 163-run seventh wicket partnership with his Skipper Travis Dowlin who was content to play second fiddle and his unbeaten 71 came from 292 minutes, 236 balls with three fours and.
Guyana finished the penultimate day of their WICB regional four-day match against defending Champions Jamaica at the Guyana National Stadium on 301-9 replying to Jamaica’s 441-8 declared when bad light stopped play at 16:41 hrs yesterday.
Christian, who stroked 14 fours and three sixes in his entertaining113 from 125 balls and 159 minutes, joined Dowlin 16 minutes after lunch with Guyana in trouble at 122-6, needing 291 to avoid the follow-on target, the DCC pair batted with confidence and intelligence on the placid surface to lead the Guyana fight back with attractive stroke-play.
Although Christian was never afraid to dispatch the bad balls with his usual savagery, he exhibited wonderful concentration, shot selection and batting savvy and once he can add consistency to his repertoire, at age 25 he could be a serious candidate for a West Indies pick before his career is over.
Yesterday, his partnership with Dowlin breathed life back into the Guyana innings after the South Americans, with a record four consecutive defeats this season, seemed heading for another trashing with half of their team back in the pavilion before they had reached 100 runs.
By the time Christian pulled leg-spinner Odean Browne to deep backward square, Guyana were six away from the follow-on target at 285-7.
Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (3-64), pacer Andrew Richardson (2-48) and leg-spinner Odean Browne (2-52) were the leading bowlers for the visitors.
Earlier, Guyana resumed on 22-1 replying to Jamaica’s 441-8 declared and lost Royston Crandon before he had added to his overnight 14 and Leon Johnson (9) as Guyana slipped to 43-3 inside the first 30 minutes of action yesterday.
Royston Crandon, with three half-centuries in the middle order this season, was promoted to open and slashed a very wide ball from Richardson and was taken at slip.
Johnson then seemed a bit unfortunate to be leg before to David Bernard, 11 runs later
Night watchman Davendra Bishoo batted with a level head along with his Albion teammate Narsingh Deonarine.
After putting in some overtime work, the night watchman, who looked compact and organized, stroked five fours in his 53-ball 28 from 83 minutes before he got over ambitious and edged a drive to slip to leave the score on 71-4. But he had done his job well.
Dowlin joined Deonarine and the team’s two most senior batsmen carried the score to 94 before Deonarine pushed forward to Miller and was caught at silly mid-off for 23 from 80 balls and 99 minutes.
Hoomchand Pooran joined Dowlin 10 minutes before lunch and together saw their team to 103-5, still 188 away from the follow-on target.
After the break, Pooran (16) went back to punch Miller through the off-side and was bowled off the edge as Guyana slumped to 122-6 in sultry conditions. A handful of spectators saw Christian begin his innings in a watchful manner before cutting loose with a four and a six off successive balls from leg-spinner Gavin Wallace before smashing the spinner for two more fours and a six in his next over.
Christian continued to dominate the half-century partnership with Dowlin as he stroked Browne for four through mid-on and a huge six over deep mid-wicket off the next ball to gallop into the 40s. He soon ‘tickled’ the expensive Wallace to fine-leg for three to post his third 50 at this level from 71 minutes, 60 balls with four fours and three sixes.
Christian then clipped Hinds for four to square-leg to post the century partnership from 151 balls and 92 minutes. He contributed 72 to the stand while Dowlin, who was on 20 when Christian arrived at the crease, played the supporting role.
Just before tea Christian stroked Hinds gloriously to the cover boundary while Dowlin brought up his fourth fifty for the season from 160 balls, 191 minutes with three fours.
By Tea, Guyana were 236-6 with Christian on 79 and Dowlin on 50 and Guyana 55 away from the follow-on target.
Christian cut loose in the first over after tea with three pugnacious boundaries off Richardson and smashed Bernard for another four in the next over to race to 95. He pushed Bernard to short mid-on and scampered a single to reach the first ton by a Guyanese this season. His entertaining century came from 123 minutes, 99 balls with 13 fours and three sixes and the small crowd and the entire Guyana dressing stood to acclaim his performance.
After Christian’s demise, Esuan Crandon joined Dowlin and ensured their team avoided the follow-on before Crandon (6) was leg before to Miller in overcast conditions at 295-8. Guyana then reached 300 for the first time in the tournament before fading light halted the proceedings.
Play on the final day today is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs and Guyana have put themselves in a good position to break their losing streak this season by holding on for a draw.
Scoreboard
R Crandon c Lambert b Richardson 14
D Bishoo c Lambert b Hinds 28
L Johnson lbw b Bernard 9
N Deonarine c Pagon b Miller 23
T Dowlin not out 71
H Pooran b Miller 16
D Christian c Bernard b Browne 113
Z Mohamed c Wkp Hibbert b Browne 0
B Bess not out 2
Extras (nb-8, b-4, lb-7) 19
Total (for 9 wkts off 101 overs) 301
FoW:
32, 43, 71, 94, 122, 295, 296 Bowling:
Richardson 11-3-48-2,
Bernard 11-1-36-1, Miller 33-9-64-3,
Hinds 12-5-36-1, Browne 23-1-52-2,
Wallace 9-0-44-0, Lambert 2-0-10-0,
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