Windwards upset champs TT

In what turned out to be a thrilling victory, TT, chasing 191 runs for victory off their allotted 50 overs, were dismissed for 176 in 47 overs, after seemingly well poised at 84 for two.

The collapse was triggered by West Indies medium pacer Daren Sammy who removed the dangerous Ricardo Powell for 27 and with the very next delivery, had Samuel Badrree caught behind without scoring as Trinidad and Tobago slipped from 123 for three to 123 for five. In the interim, Dwayne Bravo retired hurt suffering from shoulder spasms with the score 122. The Windward Islands bowlers then seized the opportunity with captain Rawl Lewis, the eventual "Man-of-the-Match", re-introducing himself into the attack and immediately removing Gregory Mahabir for 24.

Liam Sebastien, bowling gentle off spinners, removed dangerous wicketkeeper batsman Denesh Ramdin for nought, batting at number nine after he had to seek medical attention for a blow to the mouth while fielding.

Ravi Rampaul was then stumped for one to signal TT’s demise and the final nail was driven into the coffin when Lewis had Mervin Dillon caught by Devon Smith attempting to sweep, for two. Sherwin Ganga had earlier top scored for TT with a fluent 41, an innings that included two sixes and two fours off 66 balls while Bravo returned to finish unbeaten on 36.

Sammy finished with three for 17 while Lewis claimed three for 32 off 10.

Sebastien took two for 32 and super-sub Orlanzo Jackson finished with two for 28.

Earlier, the Windward Islands, recovered from a disastrous 44 for five to reach 190 for nine off their allotted overs, after being sent in.

Their final score was due largely to an unbroken, last wicket partnership of 66 between Mervyn Mathews, 31 not out and Kenroy Peters, 23 not out.

Matthews struck four fours in an innings lasting 41 balls while Peters hit one four in a 30-ball innings.

Lewis steadied the innings with a brisk 30 from 38 balls with five fours and added 36 for the sixth wicket with Sebastien who got 28 from 81 balls. Pacer Richard Kelly, who created havoc early in the innings by removing three batsmen in four balls, finished with four for 40 off 10 overs.