TT cricketers down but not out

Lack of overall batting discipline and senseless run-outs in the final stages allowed Windward Islands to narrowly edge out Trinidad and Tobago by one run for one of the four semi-final places in the President’s Cup Limited-Overs cricket tournament. Having made 219 all out off 49.1 overs, Windwards fought bravely to restrict TT to 218 for nine wickets off the allotted 50 overs at the Enmore Community Centre ground yesterday. Rawle Lewis’ inspirational leadership was also a key factor which saw the Windwards pressure the Trini-dadians in their chase for that crucial victory which would see them on the plane to Barbados for the semi-finals. TT still have an opportunity of clinching one of the two other semi-final berths. They will do battle with Leeward Islands in one of the two final preliminary matches today. Defending champions Guyana will be up against Jamaica at GCC, Bourda in the other match and both these teams are still in the race for a place in the semis. But they also have to exercise greater discipline and play smart cricket against opponents who can become spoilers.

Former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Junior Murray, who opened the batting with WI Test player Devon Smith, led the way with a typically aggressive 64 which laid the foundation for Windwards victory march. And his exhibition behind the stumps earned him the “Man-of-the Match.” They posted 44 for the first wicket when Smith was unfortunately run out for 24. And despite the setback Murray rallied on featured in another important 72-run second wicket partnership with Craig Emmanuel who made 28. Liam Sebastien 37 and Darren Sammy 25 added valuable runs as Windwards pushed beyond the 200-run mark. Offspinner Rodney Sooklal was TTs main wicket taker with a career best of four wickets for 46 runs. Sherwin Ganga, Richard Kelly and Imran Jan claimed one wicket apiece on the good batting track. TT changed their opening pair and switched to a right-left combination with West Indies one-day specialist Ricardo Powell promoted up the order to partner attractive Sherwin Ganga instead of regular left-handed partner Imran Jan who found himself at number six.

The Ganga-Jan tandem had compiled a match-winning 107-run first wicket partnership against the mighty Barbados whom they defeated by three wickets in their first round encounter. Yesterday, the move to allow attacking Powell to capitalise with seven fielders in the inner circle during the first fifteen overs, backfired. Powell’s defence was breached by Fernix Thomas whose inswinging delivery knocked back the Jamaican-born middle and offstump with his personal tally on one and the score at ten. Skipper Daren Ganga joined his younger brother Sherwin and played positively and exerted pressure on the Windwards bowlers and fielders as they rotated the strike frequently and executed some handsome strokes which rattled the boundary boards. Left-handed Sherwin was a delight to watch as he continues to impress while Daren (18 with three fours) showed reliability with good placement and quick running between the wickets as they advanced the score to 58. He gifted his hand away as he drove Lewis leg-spinning delivery to the diving Devon Smith at extra cover position. TT’s two senior players were back in the pavilion and much was asked of the juniors.

Gregory Mahabir batted sensibly for the second consecutive match and mustered 24. Windwards captain Lewis switched his bowlers around and supported with attacking field placements which resulted in a number of good catches taken to thwart TT’s efforts. Mahabir was brilliantly caught by the captain on the second attempt while Sherwin Ganga was superbly taken by Liam Sebastien in a return catch. He struck five sweetly-timed fours off 77 balls during his 82-minute stay at the crease. The momentum and pendulum swung the Windwards way after hard-hitting all-rounder Shazam Babwah, back in place of Jonathan Augustus, raised much optimism with some powerful shots which brought him a six and two fours off 35 balls. He then attempted a sweep which bounced off the upper edge and into the air where wicketkeeper Murray made an easy catch. West Indies youth captain Dinesh Ramdin batted sensibly and forced his partners to respond with quick singles, doubles and even threes as they pushed towards the victory target. Samuel Badree entered with the score at 151 for six. And with Ramdin they moved it to 191 when Badree (22 off 21 balls) was bowled by Thomas who returned for another spell at the southern end.

At this stage it was a run a ball scenario but the last match hero Richard Kelly was run out attempting a second run and failed with a strong return from the cover boundary by Craig Emmanuel to Lewis. With one over and six balls TT required four runs and two wickets intact. But Reyad Emrit at the non-strikers end was backing up too far down the pitch as Ramdin pushed to mid-wicket where Sebastien relayed the ball to Thomas who bowled the final over. Ramdin (32) faced with three balls remaining and stroked the ball to the long-on region and got a single which took the total to 217. Sooklal, the number eleven batsman, missed the final two deliveries sent down by Thomas and Windwards celebrate an historic one-run victory over the Trinidadians. It was the fourth one-wicket win in the history of West Indies Limited-Overs cricket but more importantly it gave the Windwards a safe passage to Barbados and a coveted semi-final berth. TT must win today against Leewards to do likewise.