Batsman Barath stars in British Gas opener

TRINIDAD and Tobago Under-15 batsman Adrian Barath scored an unbeaten 38 to guide Nanan Division to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the British Gas Under 15 opening round match played at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain yesterday. Barath won the toss and he asked Gomes Division to take first strike on a good batting pitch. But superb spin bowling by Kissoondath Magram, Javed Ramdhanie and Richard Ramlal proved too much for the North-Eastern outfit.

Barath got admirable support from Richard Ramlal who batted for 39 overs for 19 runs when he was unfortunately run out after sharing a 53-run third wicket partnership with the skipper who stayed to end and brought up the winning score, much to the delight of his enthusiastic teammates and supporters. Gomes Division (North-East) were skittled out for 84 off 38.4 overs while Nanan Division (Central) replied with 84 for three wickets off 42 overs. Gomes Division got off to a solid start with Keston Montrose and Alex Aquillera posted 43 for the first wicket partnership. But leg spinner Magram and leftarm spinner Ramdhanie combined to mesmerise their counterparts, and gave the defending champion an easy target to register their first victory in their quest to retain the title.

Magram emerged as the main wicket-taker with four wickets for 27 runs off 10 overs while Ramdhanie grabbed three wickets for nine runs off 10 overs. Ramlal bagged two wickets for two runs off three overs. In the other match played at the Riversdale ground, Bishop Division held off the challenge of Logie Division to win by 12 runs in a tense encounter. Batting first after being sent in, Bishop Division (North) rattled up 135 off 44 overs. Aaron Alfred (23) and Nicholas Alexis (16) topscored and added 30 runs for the third wicket partnership.

Skipper Varoon Samaroo grabbed three wickets for 13 from eight overs while Terrence Ramsaroop took two for 11 from two overs. Logie Division (South) seemed well set to overhaul the total but they faltered and were bowled out for 123 off 47.1 overs after being 100 for three at one stage. They lost their last seven wickets for an addition of 23 runs. Stephen Kallie did the damage with three wickets for 16 from 9 overs and was supported by Hackim Mitchell and Javed Boodram who each claimed two wickets for 23 and 27 respectively.