Ramdin laments bad day with the ball

The Red Force could not make it a hat-trick of titles in the tournament, after suffering an embarrassing 292-run defeat against the Scorpions. The Jamaicans were ruthless when batting first, racking up a stupefying 434 for four - a regional record and the ninth highest score in 50-over List A cricket history.

Discussing TT ’s exit in the semifinals, Ramdin said, “It was pretty disappointing not being able to get into the final and give ourselves a chance to win the tournament again, but I think it was a good run for us.” Ramdin said the Red Force had no response to the attack of the Scorpions.

“Our bowlers were tremendous throughout the tournament and Jamaica came out and they outplayed us, they batted really well and they put our bowlers under pressure. Chasing 400 runs was very difficult, and we kept losing wickets and we never had the momentum to really chase down the runs.

“I think it was some poor bowling on our part - senior bowlers. We bowled some bad balls and they had some really good batting power that put away those balls as well.” Chadwick Walton (117) and Jermaine Blackwood (108 not out) both struck centuries for Jamaica, while Steven Taylor (88) and Rovman Powell (95) slammed half centuries.

The TT skipper said it was good to see Queen’s Park batsman Nicholas Alexis and clubmate Khary Pierre performing during the tournament for TT .

“It is good that those two young players got that experience at regional level. Hopefully they could grow from strength to strength, use what they have learned in that tournament to move forward in their career.” Ramdin is hoping the Red Force can get some positive results when the Regional Fourday tournament resumes on March 10. TT are currently last on the six-team standings.

Ramdin, who will be available when the four-day tournament resumes, said, “It is very important that we come out and play hard cricket in the four-day set up. It is very important that we come in the top three.”