Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Berbice retain GCB Inter-County two-day U-15 title
By Sean Devers at Providence
Berbice continued their supremacy in local cricket by retaining their under-15 two-day Inter County cricket title yesterday at the Providence Stadium when their final round game against Demerara ended in a draw.
The victorious Berbice team will add another trophy to their already full cupboard.
Berbice took first innings points to top the points table, while Demerara had to settle for second. Essequibo occupied the cellar position.
Three runs behind on first innings, Demerara finished their second innings on 151-6 with Michael Shalim top-scoring with 38 and Shivindra Hemraj making 34.
Earlier, Berbice began the final day on 114-6 replying to Demerara’s 180, needing another 67 for first innings points from 21 overs with four wickets in hand and when Daniel Lewis (3) was run out at 134-7, Demerara were on top.
But overnight batsman Arif Chan batted with confidence and with Skipper Sharaz Ramcharran (who retired hurt on the first day with a minor strain) joining him, Berbice still had hopes of getting the required runs.
However, the few Demerara fans were already celebrating when Michael Shalim removed Chan, who hit four boundaries in his 55 to leave the score on 138-8.
But some loose work in the field and a general lack of fight by the Demerara Colts let Berbice off the hook as Ramcharran (20*) and last man Parmanand Ramohan who lashed four fours in a cameo unbeaten 27 from just 21 balls, saw Berbice to first innings points in the final over of their 65 allotment.
Demerara were further handicapped by the absence of West Demerara player Avinash Dhaniram who failed to show up to bat yesterday.
Left-arm spinner Akshaya Persaud finished with 5-56 from 25 overs for Demerara who had to win outright from that stage to take the title.
By Lunch the score was 34-0 from seven overs as Brian Sattaur looked to counter-attack from the start and the in-form Brandon Chanderpaul played the supporting role.
After the interval Sattaur (26) drove David Latchya to extra cover to leave the home team on 43-1, while Chanderpaul (19) who batted with a runner after being struck on his foot while bowling in the first session, looked uncomfortable and clipped a catch to mid-wicket as Parmanand Narine struck to leave Demerara on 57-2.
Chanderpaul is the competition’s most inform batsman and some felt he should not have been asked to bat since he risked aggravating his injury less then three weeks before the start of the Regional under-15 tournament in Trinidad from July 2-16.
Rain at 13:31hrs forced an early Tea and when play eventually resumed 27 overs had to be bowled before the final hour’s play began.
After Tea Shivindra Hemraj and Michael Shalim scored freely to take the score to 121 before Hemraj (34) swept leg-spinner Vienora Gooniah to deep mid-wicket.
Sunil Singh (6) and Shalim (38) were both run out within the space of two runs to leave the score on 139-5 before Khemraj Rupee (3) was bowled by Chan at which time the game was called off.
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