Nandu’s XI impressive on Day 1
-as Sankar and Looknauth run through Adams XI’s batting
In brilliant sunshine and on a ground made for batting, day one of the Guyana Harpy Eagles Trial Match at the Meten-MeerZorg Community Ground on the West Coast of Demerara, saw Matthew Nandu’s XI outclass Antony Adams’ XI in every department.
Adams won the toss and elected to bat but his batsmen could not make it beyond the second session, the side bowled out for 144 after lunch.
A lack of application and good bowling were the main contributors to the Adams XI poor showing with the bat.
After getting off to a decent start thanks to Sachin Singh and Rampertab Ramnauth who looked solid in defence in the opening overs, it all unraveled with the introduction of spin as Richie Looknauth had Ramnauth stumped for 12 to leave Adams’ XI at 34/1.
That soon became 34/2 as Singh was bowled by Leon Swamy for 16, from there it all went downhill as wickets tumbled regularly.
Only Akshaya Persaud, at number four soldiered on to make 44.
His knock was ended by Steven Sankar who was impressive with his leg spin going on to take 3/19 from four overs.
Such was Sankar’s guile and discipline, that he bowled three consecutive maidens while taking his three wickets.
The leggie accounted for all-rounder Quentin Sampson and Junior Sinclair, both for ducks, the former caught going for a big hit while Sinclair was out bowled.
The fact that Adams’ XI got to 144, a decent total given that they were five down with only 74 on the board, was down to lowerorder batsman Malcolm Hubbard who played a blinder in his knock of 54. Such was Hubbard’s belligerence, that he carted Sankar for three sixes in his fourth and last over to spoil the leg-spinner’s figures. Looknauth on the other hand, also put in an
eye-catching performance with the ball.
His off-breaks put an end to Kevlon Anderson
(7), Brandon Jaikarran (0) and Zachary Jodah (4) in addition to Ramnauth. He ended with figures of 4/41 from 11 overs.
Another spinner, Ashmeade Nedd ended Hubbard’s slugfest, bowling him to put the Adams XI out of their misery in 42.3 overs. Nedd ended with 1/16 (6.3 overs) while Veersammy Permaul had 1/13 from seven overs.
In response, skipper Nandu and fellow opener Raymond Perez started off brightly, the pair particularly harsh on seamers Sylus Tyndall and Clinton Pestano whenever they overpitched or dropped short.
While Nandu looked the steadier of the two, Perez put in a good showing as well, as the opening pair got some much needed time in the middle. As in the first innings, it took spin to root out Nandu (43) and Perez (41), Junior Sinclair and Anthony Adams accounting for the pair. By stumps, wicketkeeper batsman Kemol Savory (21 not out) and
Shamar Yearwood (9 not out) had guided their side to 119/2 (44 overs) without further casualties. Sinclair and Adams ended the day’s play with figures of 1/23 (13 overs) and 1/26 (10 overs) respectively.
After the day’s play had been called, Stabroek Sport spoke to Sankar who said that the pitch is more conducive to spinners.
The leggie who is hopeful of a spot on the Guyana Harpy Eagles final squad was critical of his last over saying; “My performance was good at the beginning but my last over went for runs.
I think our side produced a good collective bowling performance to contain the opposition to a low total”.
Quizzed on his goal for the game, Sankar revealed; “My aim is just to be among the wickets and keep putting my name in the mix for selection.”
Today play begins at 9:30 am as Nandu’s XI will look to build on their strong day one showing.