Bachan puts Bajans on back foot

Bachan, a left arm orthodox twirler wreaked havoc capturing seven wickets for 21 runs as the lead-footed Barbadian batsmen were routed for a paltry 76 just before lunch to give Trinidad and Tobago a first innings advantage of 37 runs.

And batting a scond time Trinidad and Tobago were solidly placed at 72 for two wickets with Adrian Barath undefeated on 40. He is partnered by skipper Jason Mohammed who is seven not out and set to match his half-century in his team’s furst innings total of 113.

But Trinidad and Tobago manager Roland Sampath is cautious about his team’s chances saying yesterday that he needs at least a hundred more runs on board to feel confident of an outright victory. "I am happy with the team’s performance so far. Rishi Bachan was his typical self performing as well as he could. But I am not in my comfort zone as yet just 109 runs ahead," said Sampath yesterday in a telephone interview after the end of the day’s play.

With two days still remaining an outright decision in the final is very much on the cards but Trinidad and Tobago are assured of victory by first innings points should the weather intervene and prevent a result.

Sampath, a former outstanding Trinidad and Tobago allrounder yesterday reiterated his criticism of the playing conditions at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown.

He said it appeared as though the field has not been cut for the past week which made it very difficult for batsmen to score runs, much less hit the boundary ropes.

"In the two innings completed so far there may have been three boundaries if so much. This shows how difficult conditions are for batting here," said Sampath.

In the prevailing circumstances, Sampath said, it is easier to appreciate the innings of 55 by the Trinidad and Tobago skipper in his team’s first innings.

"The batsmen need to work hard and graft to get any sizeable score here. It is extremely difficult going. Jason showed his maturity by applying himself to make sure we got a good score in the first innings and something the bowlers could go at the opponents for," said Sampath.

After criticising the batsmen in the round-robin phase of the league competition when Trinidad and Tobago lost the first match but won the next two to reach the final, Sampath said he was confident they would hit top form. "They are an intelligent group of guys who think and buckle down. But the pitches have not been the best. They are not helping them at all so a struggle is taking place. However they will come to terms sooner or later," Sampath said. The manager, a former policeman said ideally he would like Trinidad and Tobago to bat out today and add about 150 runs to the present total which should ensure victory."A total of 200 is like 350 on this ground. In addition the Bajans don’t seem to have a clue about the spin bowling. But we must bat out today to be really safe,’ said Sampath.

Summarised scores: At the Arnos Vale Ground - TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 113 - Jason Mohammed 55, Javed Mohammed 24, Jevon Searles 4/12, Shamarh Brooks 3/31, Nicolai Charles 2/21 and 72/2 - Adrian Barath 40 vs BARBADOS 76 - Jevon Searles 28, Rishi Bachan 7/21, Sunil Narine 2/30 .

THIRD place play-off match at the Sion Hill Ground: GUYANA 177 - Richard Ramdeen 68, Christopher Barnwell 25, Alton Beckford 5/50 vs JAMAICA 109/7 - Cordell Simpson 19 not out, Veersammy Permaul 3/23, David Wallace 2/20.

FIFTH place play off at the Stubbs Ground: LEEWARDS 125 - Akito Willett 30, Orlando Peters 19, Javal Hodge 18, Nelon Pascal 5/16, Trevor Walcott 2/33 and 169/7 - Keiron Powell 82, Earven Fredericks 2/5, Gary Daniel 2/26, Ronald Ettienne 2/32 vs WINDWARDS 298 - Earven Fredericks 65, Andre Fletcher 54, Ronald Ettienne 33, Akito Willett 4/84, Jacques Taylor 3/56).