Cornelius hits half-century
Stabroek News
November 26, 2003
A solid 62 from 20-year-old former national under-19 skipper Troy Cornelius saved Neil McGarrell's X1 from total embarrassment when the first day of the second national cricket trial ended at Bourda yesterday.
McGarrell's X1 faced Mahendra Nagamootoo's X1, which finished the day on 53 for one, 111 runs away from first day honours.
This was in response to McGarrell's X1's 163 for nine declared at tea.
The left-handed Cornelius hit seven fours in his 203-minute, 189-balls innings. He and Damodar Daesrath, who hit three fours in 28 runs off 72 balls in 107 minutes, added 67 for the fourth wicket.
The pair joined forces with the score on three runs for one wicket, on an easy-paced track, which had some preparation moisture. This was after the first session in which Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ryan Ramdas and Travis Dowlin all departed in quick succession before they had scored.
Left arm spinner Hemnarine Harrinarine removed Daesrath at 68 for four, and then quickly got rid of the experienced Andre Percival for a duck. McGarrell's XI then slipped to 68 for five on the slightly heavy outfield.
Harrinarine ended with four for 39 from 21 overs, while Reon Thomas who bowled with pace, took three for 26 from eight overs.
When Nagamootoo's X1 began their reply left-handed opener Azeemul Haniff, who appeared uncomfortable with the short-pitched balls, fended a lifting delivery from Eion Katchy and the lobbed catch was taken by Ramdas at short leg for three; the score was five for one.
Krishna Arjune, who recorded a century in the first trial match, was unbeaten on a carefully constructed 16 and with him was Hoomchand Pooran on 29 with three boundaries.
Today is the second day and play is scheduled to commence at 0930 hrs.
Guyana will face Barbados at the University of West Indies Cave Hill campus ground in the opening round of the 2004 Carib Cup Regional competition.
The first-class four-day game will be played from January 9-12.