Chanderpaul stars with bat and ball

GEORGETOWN: Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed with bat and ball for Demerara to defeat Essequibo by 19 runs in their El Dorado Inter-County match at LBI on Sunday. Chanderpaul hit a half century in Demerara’s score of 204 for eight off 50 overs, and then took two important wickets as Essequibo fell short in reply at 185 for eight off their 40 overs. Demerara, who had beaten Berbice on Saturday, are now guaranteed a spot in this weekend’s final.

Sent to bat, Demerara were pressured against tight Essequibo bowling. They lost captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (16), before Chanderpaul (70) and Lennox Cush (48) posted a 114-run third-wicket stand to revive the innings. Chanderpaul hit five fours and three sixes and faced only 77 balls for his 70. Off-spinner Elroy Stephney (3-53) and pacer Reon Thomas (2-15) led the bowling for Essequibo, who chased the 205-run target well until they were overpowered by the Demerara bowlers, among them Chanderpaul, who picked up two for 41 off eight overs.