Fruta cricket ‘semis’ tomorrow

EXCITEMENT is in store in the semi-finals of the Fruta Cricket Festival tomorrow at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

Queen’s Park Cricket Club play Ceramic Merryboys in the first semi-final at 6.30 pm and Clico Preysal come up against Transbrokerage Couva Sports, the only unbeaten team in the competition, at 9 pm. In third round matches on Friday, Wanderers beat Aranjuez and Queen’s Park whipped Clico Preysal. In the first encounter Wanderers went in to bat after winning the toss, scoring 122 runs in 15 overs. Joel Pamphile recorded a brilliant 47 which included three fours and two sixes, Ryan Sieuchan made 20 and Andre Browne contributed 16.

Royston Crandon was the most effective of the Aranjuez bowlers taking three  for 22 in his three-over spell. He also starred with the bat, scoring 21 runs and together with Renick Batson, who made 34 including three huge sixes, could not reach the target. Aranjuez fell short by 18 runs finishing on 104 for nine in their allotted 15 overs. Kishore Lalchan was the most economic Wanderers bowler, ending with figures of three for 17, followed closely by Rajendra Mangauez with two for 20. Steve Rudal and Sanjiv Gooljar also took one wicket apiece.

Wanderers wicketkeeper Pamphille was voted “Man of the Match” for his 47 runs, one catch and a stumping. In the other match the Parkites also won the toss and batted first, scoring 134 for four in their 15 overs. Dwayne Bravo got 45 not out (two fours, one six), Ricardo Paty hit 22 (one  four, one six) and Earnil Ryan and Deepak Kumar scored 20 each. Preysal bowlers Andy Jackson, Shazam Babwah and Dilip Basdeo all took one wicket each. Then Preysal were bowled out for 114 in 13 overs, with Hollister Pajotte emerging the most aggressive Preysal batsman hitting two sixes in his 23-run innings. Eugene Antoine made 22 and Denesh Ramdin ended on 13.

Darron Cruickshank was particularly destructive with figures of three for 28, with Bravo taking taking two for 13 and Philip Browne, two for 21.For his allround performance Bravo was named “Man of the Match.” The matches were the last of the preliminary stage when Preysal had to score at least 100 runs to advance and Queen’s Park had to win. They did just that to advance to the semi-finals. The top four teams will share a $30,000 purse, and fans attending the semi-finals tomorrow will receive a complimentary Fruta from sponsors SM Jaleel and Company.