By Rajiv Bisnauth
Two contrasting halfcenturies from captain Christopher Barnwell and Rajendra Chandrika guided Demerara to a nervy three-wicket win over Berbice in the second round Pepsi Inter-County 50-over competition on Tuesday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The duo’s whirlwind partnership of 117 set the stage for the chase, one which was eventually achieved after several heart-stopping moments.
Demerara finished on 252 for 7 with an over to spare, chasing the 250.
Barnwell and Chandrika came together after Demerara were reduced to 49 for 3, and managed to turn the game on its head.
The pair almost immediately, settled into a free-flowing rhythm. They went about eliminating the dot balls, ran the fielders ragged, picked off boundaries at will and set Demerara up for the victory.
Barnwell, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, slammed 72 off 65 balls, inclusive of six fours and five sixes to complement his 101 in the opening round against Essequibo on Saturday. The right-handed, Chandrika made a 91-ball 62 with three fours.
Derwin Christian made 26 not out, Zaheer Mohamed, 18, and Shaquil Williams, 14 not out, played useful cameos to secure the victory at the end.
Robin Bacchus and Steven Jacobs contributed 16 runs each.
Fast bowler Keon Joseph and leg spinner Devendra Bishoo picked up two wickets each while Eon Hooper, Gudakesh Motie and Devon Clements had one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Berbice rallied from a commanding unbeaten 72 from Bishoo and a sixth wicket stand of 63 runs that eventually guided them to the respectable total.
Berbice were reeling at 137 for 6, but Bishoo’s late counter-attack along with all- rounder Romario Shepherd-DeJonge, gave life to the lower-middle order.
The left-handed Bishoo slammed four fours and two sixes in his 63-ball innings while Shepherd-DeJonge made 38.
Devon Clements (30), Anthony Bramble (26), captain Sewnarine Chattergoon (18) and Shimron Hetemyer (12) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.
Bowling for Demerara, Christopher Barnwell was the pick of the bowlers, snapping up 4 for 59 off his 10 overs, while Paul Wintz, Kellon Carmichael, Jacobs, and Trevon Griffith, picked up one wicket each.
