A splendid 84 from Demerara’s wicket-keeper batter Vickash Wilkinson took his team to a 5-wicket win over Berbice at the Everest Cricket Club Ground on Thursday.
In what was effectively a final, Demerara won the toss and chose to bowl in brilliant sunshine with the hope of getting early wickets. However, Berbice opener Kevin Kisten blasted the Demerara bowlers to all parts in a quickfire 38 which included 6 fours and 1 six. The former National wicket-keeper put on a first wicket partnership of 59 with Rampersaud Ramnauth before he skied a short delivery from Deonarine Dindial to Sachin Balgobin at short midwicket. Berbice then lost Ari-Afrizal Kadir soon after for 6 which slowed their progress. Romesh Bharat joined Ramnauth and consolidated the innings. Together, they added 83 for the 3rd wicket and laid the platform for Berbice to explode towards the end. Demerara did not help themselves as they dropped 5 catches throughout the innings. When Ramnauth was finally run out, he had scored to 66 and hit 6 fours and 1 six.
Matthew Pottoya entered and struck a six off his first ball signaling his intentions. He hit another six and a four before he was brilliantly run out for 18 with a direct hit from Dindial. Berbice then collapsed and lost their last 6 wickets for just 24 runs to finish on 214. Shane Prince, Neeran Bani and Alex Datterdeen finished with 2 wickets each for Demerara.
Demerara, in reply, then launched a vicious counterattack, led by Vickash Wilkinson. The opener who hails from East Coast Demerara has been in good touch throughout the tournament and once again impressed as he slammed 84 off 82 including 11 fours and 3 sixes. He dominated the Berbice bowlers who had no answers for his classical cover drives and majestic pulls. Wilkinson who was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) was supported by Nicholas Shiopersaud (46), Jonathan Van Lange (26) and Sachin Balgobin (22*). Pottoya, Raj Tika, Justin Doobay and Salim Khan each picked up 1 wicket for Berbice as Demerara cruised to victory and to the GCB U17 Inter-County Super50 Championship.
At the presentation ceremony, Jonathan Van Lange was awarded for the most runs in the tournament with 186 runs, Matthew Pottoya received the award for most wickets (7) while wicketkeeper batter Vickash Wilkinson earned the title of MVP with 168 runs and 6 dismissals behind the stumps.
Scores:
Berbice U17 214 All Out from 47.3 overs
Ramnauth 66 (93), Kisten 38(27), Bharat 38(89)
Datterdeen 2-28 (10), Bani 2-30 (10), Prince 2-31 (4.3)
Demerara U17 217-5 from 45.5 overs
Wilkinson 84(82), Shiopersaud 46(63), Van Lange 26(27)
Tika 1-26 (7.3), Doobay 1-27 (9), Khan 1-30 (4.4)
Everest CC extends best wishes to Looknauth on First Class debut
By John Ramsingh Richie Looknauth is the latest player from Everest Cricket Club (ECC) to be selected to play Regional First-Class cricket. The right arm