TT lose third straight match

Trinidad and Tobago made a desperate fight yesterday against Jamaica on the final day of their Carib Beer Series regional cricket clash at the Queen’s Park Oval but still went under by five wickets to register their third consecutive loss.

Scores: TT 218 & 234 vs JAMAICA 332 & 123/5.

Chasing 121 runs for victory Jamaica stuttered to 41 for three and were in danger of not getting to their target but Keith Hibbert, with an unbeaten 40, pulled things around. He was however lucky to survive two chances in the same over from spinner Dave Mohammed as skipper Daren Ganga, standing at first slip, spilled both chances with the score at 54. After this Maurice Kepple and Jamaican captain Robert Samuels both fell for 16 but the result was a forgone conclusion.  Hibbert and Gareth Breese brought in the win and 12 valuable points.

Earlier Trinidad and Tobago starting the day at 195 for six could muster only 234 as Jerome Taylor finished with the remarkable figures of eight for 59 — to finish with 10 wickets in the match.  This prompted Samuels to remark: “Taylor is a beautiful bowler to watch. This youngster has been performing in the trials and although he didn’t make a great start to the series he has come back and come back good. He bowled very well with good line, length and pace and I think he can go very far.” Samuels also said he was very happy with the 12 points as Jamaica try to break into the final four to play for the international trophy.  A disappointed Ganga said his players were outplayed and now they must pick themselves up for the final match  that starts on Friday against the Leewards at St. Thomas.

“With the return of Brian Lara and Mervyn Dillon the team will be boosted and I think the players will come good in the final match. We desperately need to win this one to get into the big four, so we need to summon all at our disposal to get the win,” he said. Manager of the Trinidad and Tobago team Omar Khan was critical of his team’s performance and said the major problem the management has been having with the players in the mental aspect of their game. “This is a young team but there is no excuse for their poor performances. The guys need to turn up for the final match in good spirits because we still have a chance of getting into the knockout stage.” The TT team leaves today for St. Thomas. Brian Lara will return to Trinidad today and leave on Thursday to join the team for the crucial match starting the following day. Making way for the double world record batting star is Lincoln Roberts, while Dillon comes in at the expense of Theodore Modeste.