TT batsmen struggle against Wanderers

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s frontline batsmen failed miserably yesterday displaying a total lack of appreciation for the basic fundamentals of the game. Playing against W-Connection Wanderers Club, the newly-promoted National Cricket League Division One team, TT’s top five batsmen were dismissed in stunning fashion. They were back in the pavilion cooling their heels and wondering what went wrong as they slumped to 22 for five wickets within the first hour’s play at Gilbert Park, California. The two-day match was meant to be the final competitive outing for the national senior team. But it may have left the selectors, including coach David Williams and captain Daren Ganga, scratching their heads.

They are now in a quandry to which combination should be tried for the Carib Beer Series regional first round match against Guyana starting on Friday at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain. Their inept batting display left a lot of questions to be answered by the players and must be causing much anxiety among the technical staff and senior selectors who must now be wondering about the opening tandem. The abject failure of West Indies Youth player Lendl Simmons who was given the opportunity to start the innings is a major source of concern.

Despite solid knocks by former national player Narine Bideshi (38) and Guyanese-recruit Loknauth Ramsuchit (24) who together featured in a 32-run third wicket partnership; Wanderers struggled to 99 for eight wickets at the close of play (5.45 pm). New ball bowlers Kyron Lynch (6-2-13-1) and Kelly (9-1-16-2) as well as spinners Rishi Bachan (6-4-9-1) and Dave Mohammed (12-3-21-2) were impressive. TT’s batsmen will get a second chance today to make amends and remove lingering doubts about their true form. Play resumes at 9.30 am.

Scores: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- 174 (Dinesh Ramdin 67 not out, Dave Mohammed 32, Imran Jan 28, Richard Kelly 14; Theodore Modeste 3 for 27, Atiba Alert 2 for 34, Brent Lezama 2 for 19 and Sanjeev Gooljar 2 for 47) vs W-CONNECTION WANDERERS 99 for 8 (Loknauth Ramsuchit 24, Narine Bideshi 38, Timothy Surujbally 6 not out, Andre Browne 10 not out).