XS rush to 62-run win in Angostura one-dayer

XS XI won the first match of the inaugural Angostura One-Dayers yesterday by 62 runs against the Rush XI at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Village, Couva. Scores: XS XI 200 all out vs RUSH XI 138 all out. Chasing 201 for victory that was posted by XS XI in 48.4 overs, Rush XI were never in the game after slipping to 30 for five wickets and duly lost by 62 runs. Dave Mohammed, who was the star of the day, delayed the inevitable with a solid 61 that took Rush XI to 138 all out.

He batted with maturity to stage some resistance to no avail. Chasing the victory target at 4.02 runs per over, Rush XI got off to a terrible start losing Andy Jackson to West Indies pacer Mervyn Dillon for six. Imran Khan (7), Zaheer Ali (8), skipper Daren Ganga (0) and Samuel Badree (0), all followed in quick succession as Rush XI crashed to 30/5. Richard Kelly grabbed two of the early wickets, while the other went to a vastly improved Theodore Modeste who  looked very sharp and bowled with genuine pace. Shazam Babwah and Mohammed took the score to 61 before Babwah was dismissed by the impressive Amit Jaggernauth for 13. Jaggernauth added two more wickets during the innings and could have easily gotten more but for poor fielding.

Mohammed was put down twice during his spell, as the off-spinner ended with three for 32 from ten probing overs. Skipper Dinanath Ramnarine, although failing to take a wicket, was miserly and finished with the figures of no wicket for 18 from ten overs. Towards the end of the innings Ricardo Paty with 18 assisted Mohammed and took the score to a respectable 138. Earlier, Ramnarine called wrongly at the toss but his team still managed to reach to 200-run mark. Lincoln Roberts top-scored with 29 and was supported by Dillon (28 n.o.), Ramnarine (26) and Gibran Mohammed 24. Dave Mohammed, who was named “Man of the Match” grabbed three for 30, while Ganga took two for 21. The teams will meet again at the same venue today to contest the second of the three- match series. Before yesterday’s start Angostura’s public relations manager Giselle LaRonde-West met the players and wished them the best. She also gave the assurance that her company will continue to assist cricket saying she thought that the one-dayers were an excellent one.