Kelly, Lynch bowl TT into strong position

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO  new ball bowlers Richard Kelly (8-1-14-5) and Kyron Lynch (6-1-8-1) devastated Windward Islands on the opening day of the Carib Beer Cricket Series Fourth round match at the Arnos Vale recreation ground. Their inspired and penetrative spells put the TT Young Stars in the driver’s seat at the close of play yesterday. They need to knock over two more wickets and secure first innings points, their first goal in this match. A total of 18 wickets tumbled for only 183 runs off 87 overs during the day’s play.

Having batted first after winning the toss, TT was bowled out for 160 in their first innings. But, despite the low total, they struck back forceful with deadly accuracy and hostility, which left Windwards shell-shocked and reeling at 23 for the loss of eight wickets after 15 telling overs. Scores: TRINIDAD and TOBAGO 160 vs WINDWARDS 23 for eight wickets. The first significant target for Ganga and the TT team would be to compile a bigger total in the second innings, after snapping out the two remaining Windwards wickets this morning. And their adrenalin would be flowing better than any other time in this year’s tournament as they seek to maintain a firm grip on the match and attempts to register outright victory.

They are in the hunt for 12 points so as to close the gap on front-runner Jamaica who are on 36 points before the start of this round. TT is currently on 20 and skipper Ganga is overjoyed at the major strikes made by his bowlers. He was high in praise for newcomers Kelly and Lynch’s disciplined assault on the Windwards batsmen and said: “Both Richard (Kelly) and Kyron (Lynch) bowled magnificently. They maintained a very good line of attack on the batsmen and were able to get them out cheaply. We are looking to close them out early tomorrow (today) and capitalise on our position. We would be seeking to bat better in the second innings and try to set them a very challenging total, when they bat a second time. There is a lot of time remaining in this match. Three full days left and everything is in our favour.

“All the players are focused on the goals we set ourselves and the team spirit is really, really high at this time,” Ganga enthused. He spoke glowingly of Kelly and Lynch and declared that “I cannot ask for more from Richard and Kyron. They were absolutely brilliant and kept the pressure up throughout the afternoon period. And the fielding was just great, no catch was missed and it just shows the eagerness of everyone to contribute to the team’s benefit. “We did not have many overs to play with at the end. It was a great fight back and the game is really set for us to win it. We want full points from this match.” Ganga also praised the batting efforts of Shazam Babwah (46) and Imran Jan (29 not out). He stated that: “Shazam had some problems but he stuck it out and got his best for the season. Imran (Jan) rallied the lower order batsmen and help carry the total to 160.”