Brilliant Bravo smashes 168 n.o.

Trinidad and Tobago right handed batsman Dwayne Bravo scored a priceless unbeaten 168 yesterday, to secure first innings points over West Indies ”B” in the second round Carib Beer Series regional cricket clash at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Village, Couva.

Scores: West Indies “B” 238 vs Trinidad and Tobago 263/5.
Bravo entered on the opening day with Trinidad and Tobago precariously placed on five for two wickets and was still there at the end of the second day, brought to an early close due to rain, with Trinidad and Tobago ahead by 25 runs. The homesters started the day on 24 for three and Bravo featured in two crucial partnerships, which raised them from the doldrums and into a position of authority at the end of play. Bravo was in imperious form all day playing breath-taking strokes all round the wicket much to the enjoyment of fans who lapped up the entertainment free of charge. After the early loss of his overnight partner Aneil Kanhai for 10, Bravo found an able ally in Shazam Babwah and they proceeded to add 102 runs for the fifth wicket. However Jason Bennett had grabbed the early breakthrough for the West Indies “B” getting Kanhai to edge to wicketkeeper Dinesh Ramdin with the score on 35.

At 35 for four the fans grew very still at the NCC and TT’s fortune mirrored the weather which for the most part was gloomy. Enter Babwah and things started to change for the local outfit. Bravo was watchful at the start grew in confidence and executed several exquisite pulls and powerful drives. Babwah joined in and just as he looked set for a big score fell to the persevering Bennett. The Clico Preysal player fell leg before for 30. Clarke Road’s Gibran Moham-med was next in to join the Parkite Bravo. He played diligently and never tried to match his more illustrious partner. Bravo, batting with tremendous confidence in mid-afternoon brought up his third regional First Class hundred in 215 minutes off 169 balls with nine fours and a six. When he raced past 105 he became the 21st Trinidadian to score 1,000 runs in regional cricket.

All the while the compact Mohammed was playing very well, getting the single and rotating the strike. Bravo then became more aggressive after reaching his hundred and launched a number of lusty blows especially against the West indies “B” spinners. He got past his previous best of 122 and soon after brought up his 150 off 253 balls in 319 minutes with 13 fours and three sixes. When rain intervened at 4.08 pm with 15.4 overs to go, he was unbeaten 168 and the watchful Mohammed, 34 not out.  So far they have added 126 runs for the sixth wicket and will need to continue to pile on the runs if Trinidad and Tobago are to gain a substantial bid to score an outright victory against their opponents.