`Tage’ Chanderpaul, `Bugsy’ Griffith put Paul’s XI in charge
-Junior Sinclair bags 5-18
Off spinner Junior Sinclair bagged a fivefor yesterday to help rout Leon Johnson’s XI for a paltry 121 on the first day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles Best vs best four day practice match at the Albion Community Devlopment Centre ground yesterday.
Sinclair bamboozled the opposing batsmen, grabbing 5-18 as Johnson’s XI 71-2, at one stage suffered a collapse losing their remaining eight wickets for a mere 50 runs.
At the close of play Keemo Paul’s XI were 143 without loss with national opening batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul closing in on a century.
The left-handed Chanderpaul, son of former West Indies test captain, Shivnarine Chanderapul, was on 85 not out.
With him is former national opening batsman Trevon `Bugsy’ Griffith on 57 not out. Johnson’s XI won the toss and were made to rue the decision by Sinclair and company including left-arm spinner, Antony Adams who followed up his fivewicket haul in the previous match with figures of 3-16.
Johnson top scored with 33 from 99 balls. His innings included three boundaries before he was trapped leg before wicket to the tall former national youth off-spinner.
Johnson did not play a lone hand as he received support from former West Indies under-15 captain, Sachin Singh. The pair
added 69 runs for the third wicket to see their side to 71 for two at lunch.
Singh stroked three boundaries before falling for a 79-ball 32 to Sinclair.
Chandrapaul Hemraj (21) and Kevin Sinclair (13) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
The final session belonged completely to Paul’s XI as the openers shared an unbroken stand of 143. Chanderpaul showed his ability to stroke the ball well and accumulate runs at a decent pace with 85 not out from 129 balls. His innings was highlighted by nine boundaries.
At the other end, Griffith smacked five boundaries on his way to 57 not out from 100 balls as they head into day two which bowls off at 09.30 hours today with their team in a comfortable position.