TT scent victory over WI ‘B’

TRINIDAD and Tobago bowled themselves into a match-winning position against West Indies “B” at the close of the third day of their second round Carib Beer Series cricket clash at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva. Scores: WEST INDIES ‘B’ 238 and 186 for seven wickets.  TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 359.

West Indies “B” were struggling on 186 for seven wickets at the close yesterday, a lead of only 65 runs, after Trinidad and Tobago gained a first innings lead of 121 runs. Talented Queen’s Park batsman Dwayne Bravo just missed out on scoring a double hundred falling for 197, as Trinidad and Tobago resuming on 263 for five wickets were bowled out for 359. The young West Indies “B” batsmen team started their second innings positively with openers Ryan Ramdass and Jason Haynes posting an opening partnership of 67 runs. The pair defied the local bowlers until the introduction of Amit Jaggernauth from the Fruta End. The pint-sized off-spinner got the breakthrough trapping  Haynes leg before for 34.

Jaggernauth struck again two runs later, removing the dangerous Ramdass for a plucky 32. And with the total on 69 for two, the floodgates were open when  Jaggernauth took a third wicket this time removing Danza Hyatt for one with the score at 72. Pacer Ryad Emrit got into the act from the Busta End removing fellow Trinidadian Lendl Simmons for five, as the West Indies B slipped to 83 for four wickets. At that point it appeared Trinidad and Tobago would quickly wrap up victory, but in-form left handers Assad Fudadin and Gregory Mahabir added 82 runs for the fifth wicket.

Fudadain thrilled the good crowd with an array of bold strokes, while Mahabir also batted well. But, Jaggernauth had Mahabir caught at first slip by Imran Jan., with his score on 38. Left arm orthodox spinner Devindra Krishna then struck soon after removing Fudadain for 55 scored in 180 minutes off 126 balls, and including seven fours and a mighty six. Jaggernauth completed his first haul of five wickets in regional cricket removing Dinesh Ramdin.

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago rallied well to get to 359 with Bravo and Gibran Mohammed taking the score to 295 before being parted. Their partnership for the sixth wicket was worth 158 runs, with Mohammed achieving his first class best 42. Bravo continued  in partnership with Emrit (44), but with three runs needed for his first double century, dragged a ball from Dwight Washington into his stumps.. He batted for 408 minutes, faced 311 balls and struck 16 fours and six sixes.