The opening day of their four-day Carib Beer match against Trinidad at the Alibion Community Development Centre ground belonged to the Guyana bowlers. Yesterday, it was the batsmen's turn to ensure that the hard work done by the bowlers did not go in vain as Guyana gained first innings points from a team for the first time this season. Led by half centuries from Narsingh Deonarine and Travis Dowlin, the Guyanese batsmen applied themselves well, mixing defence with aggression to end the rain-interuppted second day on 237-6. They take into this morning's play which will start some 16 minutes early to make up for the 32-minutes that were lost yesterday, a healthy lead of 94 fours and with four wickets remaining will look for a lead in excess of 150.
They began the day in a spot of bother on 19-2, both wickets going to the bustling medium pace of Dwayne Bravo. But injury contained Bravo to only 4.1 overs yesterday and the batsmen fully capitalised on his absence. The two, Dowlin and Deonarine, made slow but steady progress taking the score to 67-2 at lunch with both batsmen on 24. Lady luck was with them. Dowlin when three was saved from being run out by Aneil Kanhai's fumble at cover.
He was also dropped by Sherwin Ganga off Kanhai when on 22.
Deonarine when 39 was dropped by Rayad Emrit at midwicket off Sherwin Ganga. The two made the most of their escapes especially Dowlin who upped the tempo after lunch hitting Rodney Sooklall for a straight six, to race to 45. Deonarine, not to be outdone responded by lofting Amit Jaggernauth over midwicket to post the Guyana 100. The two took the score to 137-2 at tea with Dowlin on 64 and Deonarine 48. The pair brought up their 100 partnership in 224 minutes and the partnership was worth 131 when Dowlin was bowled by Emrit for 67 which came from 258 minutes, from 195 balls and included seven fours and one six.
His dismissal brought teenager Leon Johnson to the crease and the left-hander came off the mark with an exquisite cover drive for three. But shortly after the rains came and forced the players off the field in the middle of a Jaggernauth over.
When play finally resumed Johnson was out to the first ball he faced LBW to a delivery which kept low as he came tentatively forward. Deonarine who had previously survived a confident appeal for a catch at the wicket off Emrit, finally was given out LBW to the same bowler as he drove. His 71 came in 312 minutes from 223 balls and with nine fours. Thereafter a rousing fifth wicket stand between Daesrath and Mc Garrell which saw 50 coming in only 51 minutes from 64 balls gave the Guyana innings a much-needed impetus.
They added 64 runs for the sixth and ended with Mc Garrell being caught behind off Jaggernauth for a quick-fire 34. Play was extended past the scheduled 5pm close to make up for the time lost and eventually at about 5.45pm the umpires offered the batsmen light. Daesrath continuing his fine showing is unbeaten on 30 made from 54 balls in 82 minutes with two fours. With him is wicketkeeper Vishal Nagamootoo.
Bravo 2-8, Emrit 2-44 and Jaggernauth 2-45 are the wicket-takers.