Lara cherishes long awaited victory

TT completed a comprehensive 264-run victory over Barbados on the last day of their final preliminary match in the Carib Beer Series yesterday at the Carlton Sports Club to claim their fifth regional First-Class title.

"To beat Barbados in Barbados, to literally take the Cup off their shelf is an amazing feeling," Lara told reporters.

"On the international circuit, playing Australia and beating Australia is real cricket to me. On the regional scene, playing Barbados in Barbados and beating them is what it is all about." TT achieved victory about half-hour before lunch, when Amit Jaggernauth held a low catch at third slip to dismiss Fidel Edwards for a duck, as Barbados chasing a highly improbable, if not impossible target of 412 runs, were dismissed for 147 in their second innings.

"You’ve got to understand I am now aged 36, and any sort of success on the playing field would be greeted with uncontrollable emotions because I am not sure to experience it again," he added.

"I thought we were in a very privileged position coming to Barbados knowing we had to win.

"Barbados, maybe, needing just one point to earn success were under more pressure than we were and it proved so in this game. Their decision to bowl first on such a good pitch was strange, but it was great to come out and win in Barbados.

"Barbados and Jamaica are the premier teams in regional cricket. After 21 years to come to Barbados and snatch this victory, and this trophy away from them is a special occasion for us."

Lara praised captain Daren Ganga and hopes the success for TT cricket will continue.

"All kudos to Daren and the way he has moulded his team over the last couple of years, and he was able to come away with a title," Lara said. "Hopefully, this is not the end. This is the start of things to come, and we can dominate for a few years. We have to cherish this moment, live in this moment, and I’m happy to be part of it."

Barbados captain Ryan Hinds was visibly dejected, after leading Barbados to their heaviest defeat in the history of the modern regional First-Class championship (1966 onwards).

"We are very disappointed," he said glumly. "We did not really bat well on the first day, but we still have the semi-finals for which we can look forward, and we will be very positive going into that match."

Barbados’ decision to field first in the match had been roundly criticised, but Hinds disregarded the criticism.

"It really did not matter whether we put TT in to bat or not," he said. "We bowled them out for 259 and then lost four wickets on the first day, and I think that is what put us out of this game."

Hinds expressed a bit of disappointment at the decision to delay the semi-finals of the competition to April.

"We would love to have the semi-finals brought forward, since many of our guys will be going to England either next month or early in April on playing contracts," he said.

"Until then, we hope the guys can continue the hard work, but the coach already has some plans for us, and we hope to be ready for the semi-finals."

In the semi-finals from April 7 to 10, Barbados is likely to host Guyana, and TT are likely to stage the other against Windward Islands. The Final is set for April 15 to 19.