Guyana start with victory against Windwards

GEORGETOWN: Guyana started their campaign in the West Indies Limited Overs cricket championship on a winning note yesterday, when they defended a modest total to beat the Windward Islands by 34 runs at Hampton Court. Having been bowled out for 172 in 47.1 overs by a rampaging Windward Islands who demolished Jamaica on Saturday, Guyana then restricted the Windward Islands’ batsmen to 138 all out in 46.2 overs to emerge with a comfortable win in the end.

After being inserted, Guyana’s start was horrendous as three of their top order batsmen registered consecutive ducks as the hosts shockingly lost their first three wickets for a solitary run. First, Sewnarine Chattergoon slapped Kenroy Peters in his first over straight to Orlanzo Jackson at point. In the next over, debutant wicketkeeper batsman Derwin Christian, ill advisedly attempted to pull his first delivery, a short, wide ball outside the off stump and ended up slicing in the air for Rawle Lewis to charge from slip to gully and complete a fantastic, diving catch. In the same over, Lennox Cush clipped Deighton Butler off his pads and was taken low down by Craig Emmanuel behind square. Twenty-seven runs later, Darren Sammy sent his teammates scampering about in gleeful abandon when he bowled Test batsman and Guyana captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul through the gates. The delivery pitched and moved back into the left-hander, beating both bat and pad before sending his off stump cartwheeling.

This made way for the game’s most productive partnership between the elegant Narsingh Deonarine and stodgy right hander Damodar Daesrath. The pair added 71 for the sixth wicket in 14 overs as they managed to stave off the Windward bowlers with forceful strokeplay. Deonarine deserved his “Man-of-the-Match” title he received for his top score of 63, the only half century of the game. Guyana, like they had done when batting, started their work with the ball in poor fashion and the score raced along, mainly courtesy of bountiful extras, Reon King being the primary culprit volunteering eight wides in his first four overs. His fellow pacer Rayon Griffith also struggled for control but managed to produce two deadly deliveries to peg the Windwards back at 34 for two. With the pacers not finding their footing, Chanderpaul immediately swooped into action, bringing his two most experienced slow bowlers to the fore. The effect was outstanding as they produced two six over spells that instantly changed the nature of the game.