Sarwan's unbeaten 151 spurs Guyana to 319-3 against Kenya
- Chattergoon, Chanderpaul hit first-day Carib Beer fifties
By Sean Devers at Bourda
Stabroek News
February 20, 2004
Ton up! Ramnaresh Sarwan celebrates his third regional first class ton against Kenya at Bourda yesterday. Sarwan ended the first day unbeaten on 151.
On the back of a magnificent unbeaten 151 from West Indies Vice-Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, 63 not out from his Guyana skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 60 from opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, Guyana ended the first day of their seventh-round Carib Beer regional first-class cricket clash against Kenya at Bourda in firm control at 319-3
The home team won the toss and elected to bat on a slow track in brilliant sunshine and watched by a very good working-day crowd, recovered from a bad start to reach 89-1 by lunch against steady but unpenetrative bowling from the visitors.
At lunch the 23-year-old Sarwan, who made 95 in the last round against Trinidad and Tobago on his return from South Africa, was not out on 41 and the left-handed Sewnarine Chattergoon unbeaten on 30.
Guyana left out pacer Esaun Crandon and out-of-form opener Krishna Arjune and opted to use middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine to open the batting, a ploy which did not pay off.
The left-handed Deonarine, with three half-centuries in the competition and opening the batting for the first time in his first-class career, was soon removed by Peter Ogondo when he edged a catch to keeper Maurice Ouma with the score on 7.
After lunch Sarwan, who looked a class above the rest of the batsmen since his return to the team, and the solid Chattergoon batted carefully as the Kenyans backed up their bowlers with good fielding on the fast Bourda sward.
By tea, Guyana, who must win this game outright to stand any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, were 175-2 with Sarwan 16 runs away from his eleventh first-class ton and third at the regional level. With him was Dowlin on eight.
Kenya's only success in the second session was the wicket of Chattergoon who pulled a short ball from Rajeb Aga and was well taken low down by Martin Suji running in from long-leg to leave the score on 157 -2 and end an impressive 150-run second-wicket stand.
Chattergoon, the Albion opener, hit nine fours in his 60 from 210 minutes and 147 balls and his demise made way for Dowlin's arrival.
After tea Dowlin was trapped LBW to skipper Steve Tikolo to give the off-spinner his fourteenth victim for the season and leave Guyana on 176-3.
Chanderpaul joined his GCC team-mate and, greeted by a loud roar from the crowd which included a large number of school children, mixed caution with aggression and played some punishing shots as he and the elegant Sarwan put together 143 in their unfinished fourth-wicket stand.
Sarwan got to his fifty from 83 balls and 131 minutes decorated with seven fours before getting to his third regional first-class ton from 263 minutes, 183 balls aided by 17 fours and a huge six.
After Chanderpaul reached his fifty from 117 minutes, 82 balls with four fours, Sarwan, the second Essequibian to play test cricket, got to his 150 from 259 balls, 171 minutes with 15 fours and two sixes to keep the pressure on Kenya.
Sarwan and Chanderpaul batted with confidence against a bowling attack which looked tired as the day progressed and showed their inexperience to four-day cricket with some defensive bowling and fielding placements.
Kenya used nine bowlers as only Keeper Ouma and Kennedy Obuya were not asked to bowl in scorching heat as Sarwan and Chanderpaul batted without much worry.
The home team, already with a good foundation, will want to increase the pace today as they attempt to put themselves in a great position to force for an outright win with positive batting.