A brilliant all-round performance from Romario Ramdehol and an unbeaten half-century from skipper Afraz Ali Budhoo were instrumental in Berbice defeating Demerara by six wickets in the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Male Under-17 Inter-County 50-over competition on Thursday.
The rain-affected match was reduced to 33 overs per side, with Demerara posting 197-8. Set a revised target of 196, Berbice coasted to victory at 197-4 from 30.1 overs.
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Ramdehol took 3-21 and Micah Amsterdam 2-43 after Berbice opted to bowl first at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Georgetown.
Demerara had a rapid start of 66 in 8.4 overs from openers Vickash Wilkinson and Parmeshwar Ram, before a middle-order slump saw them slip to 132-7.
The eventually recovered via a stand of 58 for the eighth wicket between Emmanuel Lewis and Dhanesh Persaud.
Lewis was run out for 49 off 47 (4x4s, 3x6s), Wilkinson struck a run-a-ball 44 (2x4s, 2x6s), Persaud made 29 not out off 22 (1×4, 2x6s), Jonathan Mentore 15 off 45 (1×4) and Ram 14 off 25 (2x4s).
Vickash Wilkinson played some stylish shots in his run-a-ball 44 for Demerara (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/July 11, 2024)
Budhoo then stroked a fine 72 not out off 52 balls, inclusive of four fours and five sixes to power Berbice to victory with 2.5 overs to spare.
Ramdehol crowned an excellent outing with 40 off 37 (5x4s, 1×6), while Romesh Bharrat made 30 not out off 37 (2x4s) and opener Razam Kobeer 22 off 17 (1×4, 2x6s).
Adrian Hetmyer (11) and opener Rampersaud Ramnauth (nine) were the other batsmen dismissed, as Arun Gainda picked up 2-37 off four overs for Demerara.
First round action will continue on Friday with Essequibo against the Select XI at Queen’s College ground.
Round Two on Saturday will feature Essequibo and Demerara playing at Queen’s College ground, while Berbice will battle the Select XI at the Lusignan ground.
Round Three on Monday will bring together Berbice and Essequibo at Everest, and Demerara and the Select XI at Lusignan.
All matches will start at 09:00h, weather permitting.