Sarwan misses double century by one run

GEORGETOWN: Guyana vice-captain Ram-naresh Sarwan missed a First-Class double century by one run yesterday as the Guyanese continued to hold the upper hand in their seventh-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match match against Kenya. After being dismissed for 444, Guyana restricted the Kenyans to 104 for five yesterday. Guyana resumed yesterday morning on their overnight 319 for  three, with Sarwan on 151 and skipper Shivanrine Chanderpaul on 63. Chanderpaul went out at 75.

The home team’s last seven wickets fell for the addition of only 125 runs. After spending 20 minutes on 199, Sarwan faced 12 deliveries before attempting to drive through the covers on the 13th and was caught by Collins Obuya. During his eight-hour run, Sarwan faced 345 balls with 22 fours and two sixes. In replying, Kenya found itself in trouble almost immediately, with two batsmen out for just 15 runs. A 67-run partnership between skipper Steve Tikolo and Brigesh Patel helped the team until Tikolo was dismissed for 22 with the score on 82. Hitest Modi was out the very next ball without scoring, leaving Kenya at 82 for four. Patel was soon after dismissed for a well-played 58 and Kenya closed at 104 for five. This is the final preliminary round of matches in the annual regional tournament. Guyana are engaged in a rearguard effort to secure a place in the semifinals starting later this month. Barbados have already won the Carib Cup by winning all six previous preliminary matches.