Central, South derby in Sunday League

PowerGen Cricket Club will come up against First Citizens Clarke Road United  today in a crucial semi-final of the Carib Sunday League. But much more will be at stake than a place in the coveted final. The fierce rivals from the southland have featured in several close results in the past five years. Interestingly the top teams have “exchanged” several players in recent past in an attempt to concoct a championship winning team. This today makes for one of the greatest battles in domestic cricket.

The battle lines will be drawn at Gilbert Park, California fast becoming one of the better cricket venues in Trinidad and Tobago. The small, picturesque  arena is expected to be filled with chanting fans on either side of the Penal Market. Clarke Road is the more experienced team but PowerGen Sports have tremendous talent especially in the bowling attack where the two best spinners — Amit Jaggernauth and West Indies player Dave Mohammed —  will lead from in front. Added to this, dynamic and inform Sherwin Ganga will open the innings for the Syne Village club. Also in their ranks are Samuel Badree and the veteran Rajkumar Mahadeo.

Club official Omar Khan speaking to Newsday yesterday sounded a very optimistic note. “We have the players in our team to go on and get the win. I am very confident that once our players get on with their stuff, we will reach the finals at Guaracara Park,” Khan said. Last season PowerGen were defeated at the final hurdle, going under to Clico Preysal. Clarke Road on the other hand won the Carib Cup title and will be looking to add the Sunday League honours to their bag. They will again depend on Mahadeo “Door” Bodoe who will lead both the batting and bowling.

Also back in the team is national wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed who will definitely bolster the batting. Clarke Road will also be looking to the veteran off-spinner Mukesh Persad to produce something special. He is a very containing bowler and will prove difficult to get away. The winners of this match will take on the winners of the Central “derby” between Alescon Comet and W-Connection Wanderers at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal. Wanderers, who have been in the doldrums for the past two seasons, were given a new lease of life by businessman David John-Williams and are playing  like a team possessed. They have several young talented players who have been carrying the team all season and they will be asked to come to the fore once again today. The experienced Narine Bideshi has been in good form and will prove to be the backbone of the Wanderers batting. All eyes will however be fixed on young Joel Surujbally who counted 174 not out in the preliminaries.

Comet have proven themselves to be the most consistent one-day team in the  country for the past few years and will start as favourites. Their main edge on Wanderers is the presence of Suruj Ragoonath. Ragoonath has the ability to change the game within a few overs and could prove to be the difference on the day. Also Nicholas Ramjass and Imran Khan are on board and can prove handful.

CARIB SUNDAY LEAGUE
(SEMI-FINAL MATCH-UP)
PowerGen vs FCB Clarke Road United at Gilbert Park, California
Alescon Comet vs W-Conenction Wanderers at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal.
 Both matches get underway at 10.30 am.