Barnwell’s ton highlight of 2nd day

Dec 23, 2009 Sports

By Sean Devers

Despite his inability to sometime control his over-exuberance, 22-year-old Christopher Barnwell is the most naturally talented fast bowling all-rounder in Guyana and yesterday he staked a strong claim for a national re-call with a brilliant 106 on the second day of the three-day practice match between a Rest Side and the Guyana Cricket team at the Police ground.

Chris Barnwell

Barnwell, who lost his place in the Guyana four-day side after 9 First-Class matches and an indifferent 2009 regional One-Day tournament, batted with authority on a flat track, stroking 10 fours and 3 sixes in his century as the Rest Team reached 216-1 by the close of playing replying to the 309 by the National side.

The Nationals, who face Trinidad and Tobago in the inaugural Day/Night regional First-Class match in Antigua from January 15, began the penultimate day on 287-8 and were bowled out 40 minutes into the day’s play.

Esuan Crandon added just 3 to his first day 43 before he was leg before to Kyron Fraser while his overnight partner Trevor Benn made 13 not out.

Former national Under-19 off-spinner Steven Latcha (3-40), Totaram Bishun, Fraser and Trevon Garraway with 2 wickets each, did the damage with the ball for the Leon Johnson led Rest team.

A sharp shower interrupted the Rest team’s reply at 11:09hrs and when play resumed after lunch at 13:15hrs, the usually pugnacious Barnwell and former Guyana opener Krishna Arjune put together 171 for the first wicket to give their team a solid foundation under overcast skies.

By tea, which taken at 15:10hrs, the score read 121-0 with Barnwell 62 and Arjune 47.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul eventually broke the partnership when Arjune (66) edged a sweep to wicketkeeper Derwin Christian.

Shemroy Barrington, another player looking to regain his place in the national team, was unbeaten on 29 and offering good support to Barnwell when stumps were drawn with the Rest side 94 runs away from a first innings lead and 9 wickets in hand.

The Nationals would be disappointed with their ordinary bowling performance in their first practice match since the 13-man touring squad was selected last week and will hope for an improved showing in the field today, the final day. Play is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.