Chattergoon century saves Guyana

CHARLESTOWN: Sewnarine Chattergoon a courageously battled injury and stroked a superb unbeaten hundred for Guyana to deny the Leeward Islands a chance for victory on the fourth and final day of their second round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at Grove Park yesterday. The 23-year-old Chattergoon lashed 100 not out, his second first-class hundred, and steered Guyana’s second innings to 236 for seven at the close and a draw after they were forced to follow-on early on the final day.

It was the second critical innings played by Chattergoon in the match, as he also top-scored in their first innings that folded —  within the first hour of play yesterday —  for 139, replying to the Leewards’ first innings 317, triggering the follow-on. Guyana had looked in danger of defeat as they stumbled to 60 for four immediately after lunch, facing their follow-on deficit on 178 runs. But Chattergoon, batting with a runner because of a thigh strain, led a spirited revival and shared in a magnificent fifth-wicket century stand with teenager Assad Fudadin to frustrate the home side’s victory bid.

The Leewards, beaten in their first round match by Jamaica, collected six points for first innings honours in the drawn match and Guyana picked up three points to move into third spot on seven points, trailing Jamaica (24) and Trinidad and Tobago (16), who both recorded handsome wins earlier yesterday  over the Windwards and Barbados, respectively. The Leewards are in fourth spot and Barbados and Windwards are joint bottom of the table on four points each.