Under-13s cop St Vincent series

The 16-man squad, led by all-rounder Stephen Sooklal, spent a week on the goodwill tour, the first for a national Under-13 cricket team.

Anthony Ramjit, President of the National Primary Schools Cricket League (NPSCL), said the ground-breaking tour was a great incentive for the development of the “cradle” of Trinidad and Tobago cricket.

“The standard of cricket was very high and this is a direct result of the partnership between Atlantic LNG and the primary schools league. The Atlantic developmental camp, from which the touring party was selected, was very instrumental in fine-tuning the skills and technique of the players. They were also great ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago,” Ramjit said.

While everyone made valuable contributions to TT’s outstanding success, teenage batting star Stephen Katwaroo, 2006 Atlantic LNG Under-13 “Cricketer-of-the-Year,” and captain Sooklal, were the star batsmen on tour. Jimmy Thomas and Nairon Motilal emerged as the best bowlers.

In the first match over 25 overs at Calliaqua, Trinidad and Tobago narrowly beat the St Vincent Cricket Academy Under-15 team by two runs.

Batting first, TT were held to 51 for five, with Amit Badree, top-scoring with 13 not out, and Brandon Ramdial (9) and captain Sooklal (7) also contributing.

National Academy Under-15s fell for 49, with Emmanuel Lett almost unplayable for TT, taking four wickets for 11 from four overs. Badree followed up with two for 11.

Playing against North Windward Under-15 at London, TT rattled up 143 all out in a 30-overs match, with Katwaroo, hitting a polished 25. Other good scores came from Emmanuel Lett (23), Kazeem Mohammed (18) and Sooklal (13).

North Windward were bowled out for 103, giving TT victory by 40 runs. Jimmy Thomas (three for 11), Mohammed (two for 10), Kieron Benny (two for 18) and Nairon Motilal (two for 14), took the wickets for TT.

TT won their third straight match, whipping St Vincent Cricket Academy Under-15 for the second time, by the huge margin of 83 runs in a 25-over clash.

Katwaroo carried over his prolific form from the recent Atlantic LNG Primary Schools Cricket League, smashing 70 not out and teamed up with Sooklal (65 not out) to pace TT to 173 for one.

In their turn at the crease, National Academy Under-15s were bowled out for 90, with Thomas (two for 17), Benny (two for 21) and Motilal (two for 23), the best bowlers for TT. National Academy Under-15s finally registered their first victory in game four, restricting TT to 110 all out in 30 overs. Katwaroo was again the main contributor with 24, with good support from Benny (21) and Dwight Pope (12).

National Academy won the match by four wickets, reaching 111 for six. Motilal took three for 20 for TT.

Trinidad and Tobago re-established their dominance in their final match, beating North Leeward Under-15 by five wickets over 20 overs. Batting first, North Leeward were skittled for 70, with Thomas (four for four) and Motilal (three for eight) the main destroyers.

TT cruised to their target, finishing on 72 for five, with Sooklal (22), Katwaroo (14) and Pope (10 no) among the runs.

Team manager, John Lewis (NPSCL general secretary) said the goodwill tour also included fun activities, a visit to Dark View waterfall and a swim at Indian Bay beach. “The boys played great cricket against older players and acquitted themselves admirably on tour. There is a very bright future ahead of them and for Trinidad and Tobago cricket,” he noted.

The TT touring team to St Vincent comprised: Stephen Sooklal (captain), Stephen Katwaroo (vice-captain) Brandon Ramdial, Randy Ramlogan, Brandon Bharath, Jimmy Thomas, Amit Badree, Dwight Pope, Kieron Benny, Kazeem Mohammed, Nairon Motilal, Jeron Joseph, Emmanuel Lett, Randy Narine, Shaquille Katwaroo and Sheehan Bryne. Officials: Anthony Ramjit (chef de mission), John Lewis (manager), Benjamin Santoo (asst. manager), Bachan Boochoon (technicsal director), Glen Dwarika (coach), Simboonath Beepat (asst. coach), Joyce Samuel (chaperone).