Deonarine’s unbeaten 136 saves Guyana

The left-handed Deonarine frustrated Barbados for the entire fourth day to hit an undefeated 136 as Guyana, facing a first innings deficit of 153, closed on 309 for nine when the match was called off at 4.34 p.m. with 15 overs remaining.

Showing fine powers of concentration, Deonarine held up Barbados for exactly eight hours, faced 366 balls and counted 14 fours on the way to his fourth first-class century which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.

The 22-year-old Deonarine was well supported by Neil McGarell in an eighth wicket stand of 72 after Barbados had put themselves in a position to win by reducing Guyana to 203 for seven — a lead of 50 — mid-way into the day.

McGarrell stayed with Deonarine for an hour-and-half to make 48 off 60 balls with five fours and two sixes, but the match was still in Barbados’ favour when he was dismissed 38 minutes after tea.

At 279 for nine, skipper Reon King joined Deonarine to put the contest out of Barbados’ reach by batting for 39 minutes after which the two captains agreed to end the match.

Barbados’ bowlers, backed up by outstanding fielding, manfully stuck to the task in spite of Deonarine’s obdurate effort.

Left-arm pacer Ian Bradshaw finished with three for 76 off 24 overs, and right-arm fast bowlers Ryan Nurse and Antonio Thomas had two wickets each. Deonarine, who resumed on 37 with Guyana on 105 for two, batted solidly for the entire day despite steadily losing partners.

He reached his fifty off 136 balls with an off-drive for his sixth four, and although he spent 50 minutes in the 90s, he raised his century in 20 minutes after tea from 256 balls.

In the pre-lunch session in which Guyana lost two wickets in adding 63 runs, first innings topscorer Travis Dowlin was run out for 25 and Assad Fudadin was well caught low at point by Wayne Blackman.

After lunch, Andre Percival, Derwin Christian and Mahendra Nagamotoo all fell cheaply before Deonarine found a useful partner in McGarrell who was eventually run out by a direct throw from Kurt Wilkinson at mid-on.

Both teams have a brief break before playing their second match, starting on December 9 when Guyana meet Windward Islands at the Albion Community Development Centre in Berbice, while Barbados oppose Trinidad and Tobago at the Carlton Club, just outside Barbados’ capital, Bridgetown.

Summarised scores: GUYANA 241 and 309/9 - N Deonarine 136 not out, Neil McGarrell 48, Krishna Arjune 37, Travis Dowlin 25, Ian Bradshaw 3/76, Ryan Nurse 2/53, Antonio Thomas 2/76 vs BARBADOS 394.

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LEWARDS 196 and 242 - Shane Jeffers 88, Omari Banks 26, Sylvester Joseph 26, Carl Simon 37; Nikita Miller 3/34, Gareth Breese 3/76 vs

JAMAICA 223 and 212/9 - Xavier Marshall 46, Carlton Baugh Jr 36, David Bernard Jr 32, Tamar Lambert 28, Adam Sanford 3/42, Carl Simon 3/50, Gavin Tonge 2/34.