TT on brink of big win

After TT’s batsmen rallied to post a mammoth 416 in their second innings the Windwards, set an improbable 541 to win, were in tatters at 102 for seven.

The day, like the previous two others, were dominated by inspired TT performances, with Daren Ganga entertaining the crowd with a scintillating 161 and enterprising knocks by Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed (43 not out) and Denesh Ramdin (41).

This was followed by incisive bowling by Mohammed (four for 31) and Amit Jaggernauth (two for 24) in the final session.

The Windwards batsmen were unable to capitalise on three dropped chances by the hosts, and will be hard-pressed to last at least the pre-lunch session this morning.

Mervyn Dillon followed up a wide half-volley, which was cut for four, with a well-directed delivery that got an edge from Romel Currency’s bat to Ramdin.

But Devon Smith prospered with an array of off-driven boundaries off a listless Richard Kelly but, first ball after the drinks break, he was ruled leg-before by umpire Eddie Nicholls off Mohammed for 33, a decision he was clearly displeased with.

With the score on 76, and the pair of Mohammed and Jaggernauth in full cry, Trinidad and Tobago spurned two chances— Junior Murray was dropped by Ramdin on 13 attempting to off-drive Jaggernauth; and, the following over, Mohammed tempted Craig Emmanuel, on 20, to on-drive but, from a thick edge, Ganga muffed a high catch running back at cover.

But those lapses did not prove costly as the belligerent Emmanuel, two balls after he was spilled at silly-point by Lendl Simmons, guided Jaggernauth to Sherwin Ganga at leg-slip while Alvin La Feuille, first ball, gave Mervyn Dillon catching practice at mid-on.

Murray, who decided that attack was the best form of defence, did not last much longer as he attempted a straight drive off Mohammed to Daren Ganga in the covers while night-watchman Dennis George lost his off-bail when he padded up to a faster ball by the West Indies “A” team left-arm spinner.

A hobbling Darren Sammy (he received a blow to his left leg from Daren Ganga fielding at silly-point a few hours earlier), gave Mohammed his fourth wicket, leaving captain Rawl Lewis and fellow all-rounder Liam Sebastien to defy the TT bowlers when play resumes today. Daren Ganga held centre stage during the TT’s innings, as they took full advantage of a flat bowling attack and lightning-fast outfield.

The West Indies opener lost his overnight partner Jason Mohammed for 20, spooning a catch off Lewis to Deighton Butler at mid-off while Ramdin’s brisk knock ended minutes before lunch, caught acrobatically by Lewis at slip after his attempted sweep off Sebastien hit the back of his bat.

Richard Kelly and Rayad Emrit, in contrasting styles, made 17 but Kelly’s run-a-ball knock ended in dramatic circumstances. Sebastien was unable to complete his 10th over due to a suspected stomach cramp but, instead of going for treatment, he went to the midwicket boundary but safely held on to Kelly’s sweep off Lewis a ball later.

Fast bowler Jean Paul accounted for Emrit and Dillon in a rewarding spell but Ganga soldiered on, hitting all and sundry around the ground before he lofted Lewis to substitute Miles Bascombe at long-off, ending his six-and-a-half hour knock which was laced with 17 fours and a six.

With the lead well over 500, Dave Mohammed helped himself to six fours and two sixes before George removed Amit Jaggernauth for three.