Red Devils snatch NSL cricket crown

TO thunderous applause from the large contingent of fans at Guaracara Park on Saturday night, defending champions Red Devils ran away NSL champions by four runs to nab the $30,000 first prize.

Needing 208 for victory in 30 overs, Ghandi United who were also beaten in last year’s finals, just failed by four runs. Batting first on winning the toss Red Devils got off to an excellent start reaching 61 before losing their first wicket. The other batsmen followed the good work and all chipped in as the Tableland side reached 207/8 off their allotted 30 overs. The best of the batsmen was former South East star Lee Phoolchan who got 30 with five boundaries. Former national and Wanderers all-rounder Richard Sieuchan chipped with a quick fire 16 that included a mighty six.

Spinner Boodram Sonny kept Red Devils in check with a miserly spell of 3/13 of six impressive overs. Brothers Vishnu and Krishna Narine then took on the Red Devils bowlers and carried their team to within four runs of a win. The duo added 103 runs for the fourth wicket and took the score to 48/3 to 151 before being separated. Vishnu made 67 with the help of eight fours, while Krishna got 48 with three hits to the rope. Alex Sookhan took 2/25 from his five overs to take his team to a nervous victory. President of the NSL, Lincoln Persad speaking after the finals said: “I would like to congratulate Red Devils and say better luck next time to Ghandi United. We had a very successful series yet again and we are very happy with the way things went all season. For this I would like to thank the NSL hard ball committee headed by Naz Mohammed.”

Final scores: RED DEVILS 207/8 (30 overs) - Lee Phoolchan 30, B Vincent 27 not out, R Singh 23, O Mohammed 19, R Sieuchan 16, B Sonny 3/13, V Narine 3/30 vs GHANDI UNITED 203/8 (30 overs) - Vishnu Narine 67, Krishna Narine 48, I Khan 13, A Sookhan 2/25, K Sim 2/47.