Brilliant TT drub Caymans

Cayman fell for 92 in 19.2 overs after winning the toss and batting and Trinidad and Tobago then showed their might by racing to 93 for two off 10.4 overs.

It was the first match for Trinidad and Tobago in the tournament and they showed their readiness to push for the US$1 million top prize. They will now face Barbados in the third quarter-final tomorrow at 3 p.m.

The Caymanians never got going and this was mainly due to clever bowling by the Trinidadians. In addition, captain Daren Ganga came to the match with his thinking cap on, making clever bowling changes and smart fielding switches that strangled the Cayman side.

This resulted in three run outs — the best of which came from the rocket arm of Merv Dillon to send back Javon Linton in the 15th over. It earned Dillon the “Play-of-The-Match” award of US$10,000.

Dillon sprinted in from the long-leg boundary picked up the ball at deep mid-wicket and in one motion threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end as the batsmen attempted a quick second run.

There were three other run outs as the Cayman Islands run rate never got above five runs per over.

Leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who opened the bowling with discarded West Indies pacer Merv Dillon, was the best bowler, capturing three for six to walk away with the US$25,000 “Player-of-the-Match” award.

“We are very happy with the way we played,” said Badree. “We’re backing ourselves to win and we are looking forward to the challenge against Barbados on Friday.” Seamer Reyad Emrit, who picked up a wicket with his first ball, ended with two for 13.

Captain Steve Gordon, opening his side’s batting, led the way with 16 while Saheed Mohammed and Kevin Bazil got 13 each as the Cayman batsmen struggled.

In reply, Trinidad and Tobago batsmen set the field on fire with some forceful strokeplay. William Perkins, the 19-year-old opener played some textbook drives in his 53 off 27 balls which included nine fours and a towering six over mid-wicket.

He put on 70 in 44 balls with opening partner Mario Belcon who chipped in with a run-a-ball 26. (CMC)