Stubborn Maraj steadies TT

CRAB HILL: Opener Tishan Maraj led a steady Trinidad and Tobago batting on a rain-shortened opening day of their second round Carib Beer Series match against Barbados at the North Stars ground here yesterday. After a few damp spots caused by early morning rain delayed the start of play by three hours and 20 minutes, Maraj, with an unbeaten 33 in just over three-and-a-quarter hours, helped his side to 102 for three off 50 overs when bad light stopped play at 5.39 p.m. with five overs remaining. Barbados captain Sherwin Campbell promptly put Trinidad and Tobago in to bat after Daren Ganga called incorrectly but his fast bowling pair of Corey Collymore and Jason Bennett found that the pitch was slow following prolonged covering due to persistent rain in the island for more than a week.

Maraj and Sherwin Ganga added 26 in 14.3 overs for the first wicket before the left-handed Ganga edged a lifting delivery from off-spinner Ryan Hurley in the bowler’s fourth over to wicket-keeper Patrick Browne after scoring ten. In 70 minutes of an extended session up to tea, Trinidad and Tobago reached 26 for one off 17 overs. Maraj and Daren Ganga were both intent on digging in and put together 41 in 21.1 overs before Collymore, in a second spell, removed Ganga for 22 with a peach of a delivery. The fourth ball of his fifth over lifted sharply and forced the batsman to fend a dolly catch to forward short-leg in Kurt Wilkinson. Daren Ganga was at the crease for 79 minutes and faced 67 deliveries. The other batsman dismissed was Lendl Simmons, who was bowled off stump for 16 off 17 balls including three boundaries, as he squared up to a delivery from Bennett.

Maraj, a former successful West Indies Under-15 captain, was a model of concentration. He has faced 159 balls without striking a boundary. He, however, survived a chance on 20 when Hurley failed to hold on to a catch over his left shoulder as the batsman drove through the line.  Both teams made one change from their rain-hit first round matches. Double-crown champions Barbados, who endured the agony of not a ball being bowled against the Windward Islands at the 3Ws Oval, brought in fast bowler Ryan Nurse for off-spinner Ryan Austin, while Maraj replaced Samuel Badree in the side who also played to a no-decision against Guyana at Couva. (CMC)