Simmons makes merry with unbeaten 211

West Indies Under-19 batsman Lendl Simmons blasted an unbeaten 211 yesterday to lead Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys to a massive 403 for six wickets declared. This was on the opening day of the second round of the Carib National League Division One cricket series against Tile It Central Sports at the Diego Martin Recreation Ground. Simmons, who has been in top form since his return from the recent Youth World Cup in Bangladesh, hit 18 fours and six sixes in his wonderful innings that thrilled his home fans. His spectacular hand took two-time champions Merryboys to their impressive total. In their turn Central Sports had replied with seven for one at the close.

Lending good support to Simmons was Kenneth Hazel with 42 not out and Denis Rampersad who made 32. At Wilson Road, Penal another batsman having a great season was again in the runs. Gregory Mahabir was unbeaten on 75 and together with wicket keeper Gibran Mohammed who made 79 not out, FCB Clarke Road were 174 for the loss of only one wicket against Couva Sports. Mahabir has so far scored 370 runs in the National League. Earlier Couva Sports were bowled out for 160 as former national spinner Mukesh Persad ripped through their batting order. The lanky off-spinner grabbed seven for 63 to take his season tally to 27 wickets. At Pierre Road, Charlieville, Preysal held the upperhand against Alescon Comet after a century from Barbadian Ryan Hurley. The talented right-hander scored 105 to lead Preysal to 244 all out. West Indies Player Association president Dinanath Ramnarine captured four for 89.

Comet at the close were 130 for seven as Hurley put the skids on them taking three for 42. At the Oval, Queen’s Park have already captured first innings points over PowerGen. The home team batted first and scored 166 with wicketkeeper Logan Stuart getting 56. West Indies spinner Dave Mohammed grabbed five for 48 and Samuel Badree got four for 39. PowerGen in reply were then shut out for 142 with Guyanese Siewnarine Chatergoon getting 48 and national coach David Williams, 42 not out. Shakeel Ali was the top bowler for Queen’s Park taking four for 16 while ex-West Indies pacer Mervyn Dillon grabbed two for 30. Matches end today.

CARIB NATIONAL LEAGUE CRICKET SCORES
At Diego Martin: Merryboys 403/6 dec (Lendl Simmons 211 not out, Ken Hazel 42 not out, Rodney Sooklal 3/117) vs Tile It Central Sports 7/1.
At the Oval: QPCC 166 (Logan Stuart 56, Dwayne Bravo 28, Samuel Badree 4/39, Dave Mohammed 5/48) vs PowerGen 142 (Siewnarine Chatergoon 48, David Williams 42 not out, Samuel Badree 26, Shakeel Ali 4/16, Mervyn Dillon 2/30).
At Pierre Road: Preysal 244 (Ryan Hurley 105, Dinesh Ramdin 46 not out, Dinanath Ramnarine 4/89) vs Comets 130/7 (Anil Balliram 21, Suruj Ragoonath 23, Ryan Hurley 3/42).
At Wilson Road: Transbrokerage Couva 160 (Robert Mahabir 32, Deonarine Deyal 21, Allan Ramroop 25, Mukesh Persad 7/63, Mahadeo Bodoe 2/34) vs FCB Clarke Road 174/1 (Gregory Mahabir 75 not out, Gibran Mohammed 79 not out).