A commanding century from teenage standout Lomar Seecharran on Tuesday propelled Demerara into the final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-16 Inter-County 50-over tournament, as they dismantled the GCB Select XI by a massive 252 runs at La Bonne Intention.
The 14-year-old left-hander produced a superb 151 from 124 deliveries, striking 17 fours and four sixes in a captain’s innings that underlined his growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest youth prospects. Seecharran dominated the Select XI attack from the outset, expertly piercing the gaps and clearing the boundary with authority.
With Demerara firmly in control and on course for a towering total, Seecharran eventually retired out after laying the platform for 358, allowing his teammates valuable time in the middle.
Nathan Bishop added 67 in solid support, while Afraz Khan and Aaron Narine contributed 31 each to push the score well beyond the opposition’s reach. Bishop later admitted he was disappointed not to convert his half-century into a century, given his recent form.
The Select XI’s response never gained traction. Spinner Makai Dowlin produced a devastating spell of 5 for 17 from his 10 overs to rout the innings for 106.
Demerara’s emphatic victory, combined with Berbice’s win over Essequibo, secured both teams’ places in Saturday’s final.
At Lusignan, Berbice booked their spot in the decider with a 73-run victory over Essequibo. After being sent in, Berbice posted 194 for 9 from their 50 overs, recovering from a middle-order wobble through a determined 52 from Asgaralli Nabi and 41 from captain Leon Reddy.
Essequibo’s Devraj Persaud delivered a spirited all-round effort, taking 3 for 42 and later top-scoring with 25, but the chase of 195 proved beyond them. Berbice’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout, with Reddy claiming 2 for 10 and solid support from Jaden Ganpat, Brandon Grimmond and Sahid Gajnabi, who each picked up two wickets.
Essequibo were bowled out for 121 in 42.1 overs, confirming Berbice’s place in the final and earning Reddy his second consecutive Man-of-the-Match award.
With the finalists confirmed, Thursday’s clash between Demerara and Berbice will serve as a competitive tune-up ahead of the championship showdown on Saturday.
