TT aim to clinch Regional Under-17 cricket title

TT lead the standings with three wins and one loss going into today’s final round which bowls off at 9.30 am. A victory for TT over fourth placed Leeward Islands at the National Cricket Centre in Couva will see the home team defend the title.

The TT batsmen were disappointing in round four. Batting first TT were dismissed for 148 in 36.4 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Chasing a revised target of 147, Windward Islands got to 149/8 in 47.2 overs.

Furlonge is counting on the batsmen to step up to the challenge today.

“We just have to forget (Sunday’s) game. (Today) is a new game and (we must) go there and play cricket the way it is supposed to be played,” Furlonge said. “We don’t need to panic. The batsmen need to settle and play proper shots and most of all if we bat first we have to bat 50 overs.” Furlonge said his batsmen were scoring at a solid rate against the Windward Islands but must concentrate more.

“The run rate was good but the wicket column was poor. We did not bat well yesterday (Sunday), so we need to improve on that.

The batsmen need to concentrate a little longer. We had a small session this morning (yesterday) so hopefully that helps.” Furlonge is hopeful for better weather at the National Cricket Centre today. The TT coach recalled that the second round match between Windward Islands and Barbados at the same venue was washed out on Thursday.

“All we concentrating on is winning the game. My only concern is the weather so we keeping our eyes on that.” Each wicket taken by a fast bowler in the tournament earns 0.1 fast bowling points for their team. The final placings may be decided by fast bowling points. TT are not focusing on the fast bowling points, as a victory today will ensure they lift the title.

Furlonge said, “Once we win the game fast bowling points has no effect on anything.” After a slow start to the tournament, second placed Barbados are hoping for a victory over fifth placed Guyana and a TT defeat to win the crown. Third placed Windward Islands will face last placed Jamaica.

FIXTURES - TT vs Leeward Islands, National Cricket Centre,Couva; Guyana vs Barbados, Gilbert Park, Couva; Jamaica vs Windward Islands, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba.