19 wickets tumble on opening day -Adams, Deodat bag 5-fors

19 wickets fell on the opening day of the second round clash in the Guyana Cricket Board senior intercounty four-day tournament between Essequibo and Berbice yesterday.

At the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club, Berbice won the toss and elected to bat. However, the relatively inexperienced side, absent of their main core, were bundled out for just 94 in 38.4 overs. Essequibo then closed the day on 156 for nine after toiling for 49 overs, establishing a 62-run lead over Berbice.

Left-arm spinner, Ricardo Adams showed the selectors he has plenty in the tank and staked a claim for a national recall after ending with 5-25 from 14 overs.

Adams ended the vigil of Shamal Angel who made 34 from 87 balls after hitting three boundaries as well as Nigel Deodat (15) and Keyon Sinclair (0) in the 38th over.

After Berbice were reduced to 11 for three by the sixth over, Seon Hetmyer made 18 from 34 balls before he too was dismissed by Adams while Junior Sinclair was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 10. Quinten Sampson supported Adams with 312 from 5.4 overs.

Essequibo faced similar troubles while batting as former national youth left-arm spinner, Nigel Deodat kept his side in the contest with 5-42 from 14 overs.

Ronaldo Renee top scored with 38 from 77 balls. His innings featured six boundaries before he was trapped leg before wicket to Deodat. Renee added 44 for the third wicket with Malcolm Hubbard (16) and 37 for the fourth wicket with Adams (23).

Sampson returned to hit 35 from 28 balls as he blasted three sixes and one four. Wazim Mohammed is on 14 not out from 45 balls while Garfield Phillips is on two not out from 20 deliveries. The match resumes today at 10.00 hours.