Jangoo, Richards make merry

The venue, the opponent and the match situation were different in 2015 when Richards got Merry Boys over the line with a straight six and a two in a tense last over against Queen’s Park with 15 runs required at the National Cricket Centre in Couva.

Chasing 147 for victory on Friday night, Merry Boys simply needed six runs in the final over with captain Richards and former West Indies batsman Lincoln Roberts at the crease. Richards, a fast bowler but no slouch with the bat, delivered with a six over square leg off Jahran Alfred to guide Merry Boys to 147 for five in 19.1 overs. Richards ended on seven not out, while Roberts was on 14.

The victory for Merry Boys ended the dream run by Central Sports who had previously defeated 2016 champs Queen’s Park in the quarterfinals and Powergen in the semis.

Earlier in the chase, it was opener Amir Jangoo who spoiled Central’s chances of winning the title. Jangoo struck 74 off 54 deliveries with six fours and five sixes. The opening partnership between Jangoo and Mario Belcon was worth 30, before a mixup between the pair led to the run out of Belcon for seven. The Red Force pair of Jangoo and Isaiah Rajah then placed Merry Boys in a commanding position with an 86-run second wicket partnership.

Jangoo and Rajah combined aggression and good running between the wickets to frustrate Central Sports. Kristopher Ramsaran was punished in the 11th over as Jangoo brought up his 50 off 42 balls with a six, followed by a four and a six both on the leg side as the spinner conceded 18 runs in the over. Merry Boys were cruising to victory at 115 for one after 14 overs, but in stepped spinner Kissoondath Magram to grab the wickets of Rajah (28) and Ranga Lachana (0) both leg before.

Roberts eased the tension for Merry Boys with a straight six and a four through covers.

Jangoo was then caught at long on, before Rishaad Harris was bowled by Royston Crandon for five to leave Merry Boys on 140/5 in 18.4 overs. Richards and Roberts, though, avoided any further damage to guide Merry Boys over the line.

When Central Sports batted, they were reduced to 55/5, before a 91-run partnership between Alfred and Crandon took them to a respectable 146/7 at the close of the innings. Alfred struck 56 off 34 balls with two fours and four sixes, while Crandon ended on 30 not out. Harris (4-0-27-4) and Richards (4- 1-10-3) shared the wickets for Merry Boys.

After the victory, Richards boasted that Merry Boys have been playing solid cricket throughout the season.

“It really is a good feeling, last year we did not have a good run and this year we became champions.

We have been playing good cricket, we are on top in the 50 overs (competition) and we have now become champions in the T20 (competition),” he said.

On hitting the winning runs for the team again, Richards explained that staying calm is important in T20 cricket. “I don’t feel nervous, because in these situations you need to try and be calm because in T20 the momentum shifts at any point in time, so the coolest head will prevail.”