Ramdin’s XI get consolation win

DENESH RAMDIN’S XI gained a consolation victory yesterday in the final match of the Toyota Classic Series at the National Cricket Centre Ground at Balmain, Couva. Defeated in the first two matches of the limited overs series, Ramdin’s XI beat Daren Ganga’s side by 22 runs yesterday in a rain-affected match reduced to 35 overs. Play did not get started until noon and batting first Ramdin “B” side made 198 for five with hard-hitting Jamaican Ricardo Powell topscoring with 47. He was well-supported by skipper Ramdin, the West Indies wicketkeeper who made 46. Gregory Mahabir continued his good form in the series with an undefeated 45 yesterday.

For the Ganga team, spinner Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed returned figures of two wickets for 25 runs while Reyad Emrit took two for 56. When the Ganga XI batted they were bowled out for 176 in 33.2 overs with the wickets shared between Devindra Krishna (3/29), Ricardo Powell (two for 15) and Mervyn Dillon (two for 27). Young exciting batsman William Perkins was the best of the “A” Team batsmen with 36 while Lendl Simmons batted well again for 30 and skipper Ganga chipped in with 22.

The matches were organised as a trial for the players seeking national selection for the upcoming President’s Cup regional limited overs competition. Trinidad and Tobago are the defending champions having won the trophy last year defeating Guyana in the final in Barbados. Yesterday chairman of the national selectors Dudnath Ramkessoon said that the team for the competition to be staged this year in Barbados and Guyana will be announced today. It is widely expected that Ganga once again will be named captain.