T&T and Guyana into semis, Jam out
Tuesday, October 26 2004
Day Nine
Victories and semi-final spots for Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in a couple of cracking matches to end the preliminary round.
Guyana vs. Jamaica
Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana
Toss: Jamaica
A brilliant century by phenom Xavier Marshall went in vain as the Jamaicans tumbled out of the regional tournament with a 3-wicket defeat at the hands of Guyana. The successful chase of 236 by Guyana ensured a semi-final matchup against the Windward Islands, to be played in Barbados later this week.
The Jamaicans won the toss and batted first at Bourda. At just 19 years of age, Marshall's hundred was the impetus throughout the innings, which ended on 234/5. Marshall hit 14 fours and 3 sixes in his 148-ball unbeaten 125 and put on 84 for the first wicket with Chris Gayle (35). Highlighting the dominance of the young man over the innings, no batsman after Gayle reached 20. Brenton Parchment (6), Marlon Samuels (18), Wavell Hinds (16) and Carlton Baugh Jr. (15) all got starts but failed to prosper significantly. Captain Gareth Breese was unbeaten on 6 at the end of the 50 overs.
Of the Guyanese bowlers only Lennox Cush (2/39) made the most inroads wicketwise, but Neil McGarrell (10-1-31-1) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (9-1-23-1) were economical to the cause. Former West Indies pacer, Reon King's 10 overs were wickless for 55 runs and his partner in pace, Rayon Griffith bowled 5-0-35-0. A total of 19 runs, including 3 sixes, were taken off Griffith's final over, the last of the innings.
Guyana's turn at the crease started with 29 runs for the first wicket. Krishna Arjune, promoted to open the batting, played for a solid knock of 62 off 118 balls, but lost opening partner Chattergoon (14) early in the piece. The middle order put together some very useful partnerships, as Narsingh Deonarine (29), Lennox Cush (21) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (18) all made contributions.
As Chanderpaul was brilliantly caught-and-bowled by Breese though, his team looked to be in a little trouble chasing - 155/4. The trouble worsened when 2 more wickets fell for 22 more runs and eventually Neil McGarell (23 not out) and Derwin Christian (12) faced the task of scoring 43 runs from the last 36 balls.
Calmly yet very sensibly rotating the strike, the equation was lowered to 25 needed off 20 balls, then Christian was caught off Gayle at cover. McGarrell was joined by his fellow spinner Nagamootoo, who played what turned out a matchwinning hand. Facing just 9 balls, Mahendra Nagamootoo smashed 4 fours and 20 runs in total. Some 10 runs were scored off 48th over, bowled by Samuels, and the victory target was reached with an over to spare.
Jamaica innings 235/5 (50 overs)
Xavier Marshall 125 not out, Chris Gayle 35
Lennox Cush 2/39 (10)
Guyana innings 236/7 (49 overs)
Krishna Arjune 62, Narsingh Deonarine 29
Chris Gayle 2/50 (10)
Result: Guyana won by 3 wickets
Points: Guy 4, Jam 0
Man of the Match: Xavier Marshall
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Trinidad and Tobago vs. Leeward Islands
Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground, Georgetown, Guyana
Toss: Leeward Islands
A thrilling encounter at Uitvlugt ultimately resulted in a tight 8-run win for Trinidad and Tobago and a semi-final qualification against powerhouse Barbados. Batting first T&T managed a mild 219 all out, but the bowlers held tight enough to limit the Leewards to 211 all out in the same 49.1 overs.
It took just one delivery of the game for the first action - Gregory Mahabir caught at slip for a duck off Kerry Jeremy. Setback early, the Ganga brother built another steady partnership, as they have throughout the tournament. Sherwin (21) was first dismissed, LBW to Cornwall, then Shazam Babwah was trapped in front without a run to his credit.
The score of 47/3 later transformed to 88/5 and Ricardo Powell (4) and Daren Ganga (32) had their efforts terminated. The saving grace of the innings came from lower order contributions by Dinesh Ramdin (41), Imran Jan (18), Richard Kelly (22), Samuel Badree (29) and Rodney Sooklal (11 not out). Ramdin in particular was impressive and mature far beyond his 19 years and faced 69 balls in his innings. Badree and Sooklal put on 30 runs for the last wicket.
Wilden Cornwall (4/52) continued in good bowling form, whilst Omari Banks (2/33) and Kerry Jeremy (2/42) also prospered.
Like their Trini opponents, the Leeward Islands wasted no time in losing the first wicket of the innings. Austin Richards (0) was sent back with the total at 6. At the other end Alex Adams was in no mood to farm the bowling, and batted aggressively for 51 off 77 balls - his second career List-A half-century.
When Sylvester Joseph (17) departed, it was only to invite the form man to the crease. Runako Morton, having already dominated the tournament until then, took his guard and set about playing a fine knock of near match-winning hand of 87. Full of confidence and strokes, Morton needed only 117 balls and hit 3 fours and 4 epic sixes. However he simply could not find a stable partner.
Cornwall (1), Stuart Williams (7), Jerome Williams (0) and Omari Banks (7) came and went and things were dire at 128/7. Hope was not lost though. Chaka Hodge (18) stayed around with Morton for a 71-run partnership until the latter picked out Daren Ganga off the bowling of Ricardo Powell. The danger man out, victory seemed very unlikely with the score 199/8. Still, the batting of Jeremy (10 not out) kept it close but ultimate too far - short by 8 runs.
Man of the Match Richard Kelly (10-1-22-2) was superb with the ball and he got good support from Rodney Sooklal (2/27), Imran Jan (2/44) and Reyad Emrit (2/46).
Trinidad and Tobago innings 219 all out (49.1 overs)
Dinesh Ramdin 41, Daren Ganga 32, Samuel Badree 29
Wilden Cornwall 4/52 (10), Omari Banks 2/33 (10), Kerry Jeremy 2/42 (10)
Leeward Islands innings 211 all out (49.1 overs)
Runako Morton 87, Alex Adams 51
Richard Kelly 2/22 (10), Rodney Sooklal 2/27 (6.1), Imran Jan 2/44 (10), Reyad Emrit 2/46 (10)
Result: Trinidad and Tobago won by 8 runs.
Points: T&T 4, Lee 0
CW Man of the Match: Richard Kelly
Posted by Liam