Chanders outdoes Ganga and T&T

Thursday, October 21 2004

THE 2004 PRESIDENTS CUP
Day Four

Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored an unbeaten half-century to deny Trinidad and Tobago victory, despite opposite number Daren Ganga's unbeaten century.

Guyana vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Albion, Guyana

Toss: Guyana

An unbeaten ton from captain Daren Ganga was not enough for Trinidad and Tobago, as Guyana's leader played an unbeaten matchwinning innings of his own. Test batsman Chanderpaul scored 87 not out to respond to Daren Ganga's 101 not out and lead Guyana to chase the 211 required for victory.

Bowling first, pacers Reon King and Rayon Griffith quickly removed the T&T openers. Imran Jan was caught for 6 and Sherwin Ganga then out for 4. A slow contribution of 20 from Greg Mahabir helped move the score to 58/3 upon his demise. ODI batsman Ricardo Powell entered the game and played responsibly with his captain for an 87-run partnership, of which he scored 41. The innings included a couple of big sixes, but was ended in the 39th over.

Richard Kelly hit 2 sixes in 22 and added 41 more runs with Ganga, who started the final over at the non-strikers end with 96 runs to his credit. When Samuel Badree perished to a catch in the deep off the first ball he saw, Ganga was allowed a return to strike. Ganga got to his century with his eighth boundary (also 2 sixes) and his 101 took 143 balls in total, with his last 50 coming from 46 balls.

Guyana started their chase in a blaze of runs, inspired by young wicketkeeper-batsman Derwin Christian, who hit 5 fours and a six before falling to Sherwin Ganga's offspin. A partnership of 55 was posted in 12 overs, but both openers fell on that score. Chanderpaul, like Ganga, entered at the fall of the first wicket. He was partnered by Krishna Arjune, who hit 4 boundaries in 22, then was LBW to Jan's part-time offspin.

Lennox Cush (5) was run out - 120/4 - and Trinidad and Tobago looked to be back in the hunt. Alas, Damodar Daesrath (43) stuck around with his skipper long enough to allow Guyana to cruise home with 5 wickets and 16 balls in hand. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 87 took 117 balls whilst Daesrath's knock was a 51-ball effort.

Trinidad and Tobago innings 210/7 (50 overs)
Daren Ganga 101 not out, Ricardo Powell 41
Rayon Griffith 2/31 (10), Reon King 2/36 (9), Mahendra Nagamootoo 2/39 (10)

Guyana innings 213/5 (47.2 overs)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 87 not out, Damodar Daesrath 43
Imran Jan 2/31 (7)

Result: Guyana won by 5 wickets
Points: Guy 4, T&T 0
Man of the Match: Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Posted by Liam