Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Queen's Park Cricket Club's five-wicket victory over Merry Boys in their Shanghai Construction Group Premier Division round eight match yesterday all but won them the title.

Their trip to the Diego Martin Recreation Ground was very rewarding and fitting for the "Parkites", who rendered the dethroning of last year's champs a formality in the final round next week. Even a loss should provide the four points Queen's Park need.

Perhaps it was the because of the haste in which their young batsmen charged the 57 required runs for victory yesterday, but Queen's Park made heavy weather of the pursuit. It turned out to be a passing shower, though, as they sped to 59 for five in 13.2 overs.

Their rush gifted Merry Boys bowler Keon Isaac three wickets and one each to Rishard Harris and Marlon Richards. Still, it was not enough to really trouble the impending champions. For his wrecking-ball performance of four for 25 (12 overs) that swung the match Queen's Park's way on the opening day when Merry Boys were dismissed for 113, Sunil Narine was named Man-of-the-Match.

Narine also featured in Merry Boys' second innings yesterday with two wickets to finish the match with eight, while Akeal Hosein and Yannic Cariah also bagged two each.

Merry Boys did enough to make Queen's Park bat again with 220 all out in 77.2 overs but the score was always just too small to defend.

In the other two matches on the day, Alescon Comets completed a 152-run win over Caldrac Club at Gilbert Park, while First Citizens Clarke Road United drew with Victoria United.

Comets dismissed Caldrac for 138-Sharmarh Brooks finished on 26 not out-short of a target of 290, with Kissoondath Magram (five wickets) and Selwyn Jacobs (four) doing the damage for Comets.

Victoria set Clarke Road a target of 212, but the latter could only reach 103 for four by close of play. Antonio Greenidge topscored with 35 for Clarke Road.

Yesterday's results:

At Diego Martin

Merry Boys 113 (Sunil Narine 4/25) & 220 (Jeetendra Sookdeo 60, Samuel Felix 37, Amir Jangoo 25) vs Queen's Park Cricket Club 277 (Yannic Cariah 62, Javon Searles 41 n.o.; Ricky Jaipaul 4/43) & 59/5 (Daron Cruickshank 18, Akeal Hosein 11, Marlon Barclay 11 n.o.; Keon Isaac 3/15)

--QPCC won by five wickets

At Gilbert Park

Alescon Comets 230 (Adrian Ali 89; Allan Laurent 4/60) & 230 (Danza Hyatt 50, Vikash Mohan 57 n.o.) vs Caldrac Club 170 (Sharmarh Brooks 26 n.o.; Kissoondath Magram 5/55, Selwyn Jacobs 4/20) & 138 (Dejourn Charles 33, Ray Campbell 30; Anthony Simmons 4/33, Selwyn Jacobs 2/38, Kissoondath Magram 4/42)

--Comets won by 152 runs

At Wilson Road

Victoria United 228 (Lincoln Roberts 95, Garey Mathurin 36 n.o.; Derone Davis 3/46) & 184 (Marcelle Jones 67, Romario Sheppard 33, Rajindra Dhanraj 18; Samuel Roopnarine 4/44, Mukesh Persad 2/34, Yannick Ottley 2/20, Derone Davis 2/52) vs Clarke Road 201 (Rangana Latchana 58, Yannick Ottley 46, Clevon Kalawan 33; Kenton Thompson 3/56, Garey Mathurin 5/67) & 103/4 in 31 overs (Antonio Greenidge 35, Jyd Goolie 26 n.o., Mark Deyal 16; Pharrell Jugmohan 2/20, Kenton Thompson 1/27, Garey Mathurin 1/33)

--Match Drawn

At Enterprise

Esmeralda Sports vs PowerGen Penal

--Esmeralda forfeited the game

At Inshan Ali Park

Jenexcon Tableland 249 (Evin Lewis 140; Amit Maraj 5/30, Philton Williams 4/54) & 200-7 (William Perkins 46, Evin Lewis 29, Silus Cooper 38; Bryan Charles 4/49, Philton Williams 2/47) vs Preysal Sports 108 (Philton Williams 20; Daniel St Clair 4/34, Brent Harriott 3/27, Negus Carthy 3/34) & 122 (Eugene La Fleur 44 n.o., Videsh Sookhai 23; Brent Harriott 5/41, Carthy 3/16, St Clair 2/34)

--Tableland won by 220 runs

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Brothers Kyle and David Kissoondath powered Preysal Government to another win in the Inter-School Boys’ Competition in the Atlantic National Primary Schools Cricket League, beating St Mary’s Government by 10 wickets at the Sancho Ground in St Julien recently.

The Preysal bowlers restricted the St Mary’s team to 78 for nine off 20 overs, with Daniel Fletcher (3/6), skipper Kristian Dookrie (2/3) and Leon Lalchan (2 /14) making inroads into the St Mary’s lineup. 

Then it was Preysal’s turn at the crease, and the Kissoondath brothers did not disappoint. With impressive form, Kyle scored 34 not out and David was not far behind his sibling with 27 not out. Preysal charged into victory with 80 without loss, continuing their winning streak . 

At Inshan Ali Park, Montrose Government Boys were not so fortunate. 

Losing momentum from their victory last week against Point Fortin ASJA, the Montrose Boys were 106 all out after 25 overs, Guayaguayare Government beating them by 23 runs. 

Guayaguayare batted first, with top scores by prolific M Grant (38) and I Hyman (23). The boys from South finished with 129 all out off 23 overs. Montrose Government’s Nick Ramlal bagged two for 15, Aaron Bankay three for 28 and Brandon Bansraj two for 15. 

But then it was difficult going for Montrose. Aaron Bankay tried valiantly to sustain the resistance, managing a top score of 39. But it was all in vain as the Montrose Government boys were all out for 106. 

Summarised Scores: 

At Inshan Ali Park 

Guayaguayare Gov’t 129 all out (23 overs) - M Grant 38, I Hyman 23, Nick Ramlal 2/15, Aaron Bankay 3/28, Brandon Bransraj 2/15 vs Montrose Gov’t 106 all out (25 overs) - Aaron Bankay 39, Joshua Rasheed 12, F Salazar 3/21, M Grant 2/8. 

Result: Guayaguayare Gov’t won by 23 runs. 

At Sancho Ground 

St Mary’s Gov’t 78/9 (20 overs) - Kristian Dookrie 2/3, Daniel Fletcher 3/6, Leon Lalchan 2/14 vs Preysal Gov’t 80/0 (10.4 overs) - Kyle Kissoondath 34 not out, David Kissoondath 27 not out. 

Result: Preysal won by 10 wkts.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

AAP article.

Roseau, Dominica - Windies coach says opener's absence is a significant factor as Johnson prepares for difficult first Test.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons believes the absence of Chris Rogers will be sorely felt by the Australians in the opening Test in Dominica starting Wednesday.

Since his return to the Test team for the 2013 Ashes, Rogers has played 19 straight Tests, proving the perfect foil to the aggressive David Warner at the top of the order.

In those matches, he’s scored four hundreds and is currently on an Australian-record equalling run of six straight Test fifties.That consistency will be missed for the series opener against the Windies, after Rogers was ruled out with concussion following an incident in the nets in which he was struck on the helmet.

"He's a very important part of the batting line-up," Simmons said. "He's been the glue with the others coming in and playing a lot of shots around him ... that could be a big miss for them."Mitchell Johnson meanwhile insists Australia are preparing for a difficult challenge against the eighth-ranked Windies.“I wouldn’t be taking too much notice of the rankings,” said Johnson in a Fox Sports column.

“The Windies are coming off a five-wicket win against England in Barbados and are led by a very good coach in Phil Simmons. “I rate their bowling attack. Jerome Taylor is back to his best after a five-year absence from the Test team. He is complemented well by the experience of Kemar Roach and Jason Holder, who is a very smart bowler.”

As the make-up of Australia’s XI for the first Test remains a closely-guarded national secret, there is also speculation about what XI Simmons will go with as the Caribbean side attempt to win just their second Test against the tourists this century.

Just like Australia, the Windies are yet to decide whether they will pick two spinners or three fast bowlers at the Windsor Park venue, which is renowned for assisting slow bowlers.Shivnarine Chanderpaul's omission by selectors also leaves a huge hole in the hosts' batting line-up.

Highly-rated 21-year-old right-hander Shai Hope, who debuted as an opener in the Windies' last Test against England, is expected to move down to his preferred middle-order role and take Chanderpaul's spot.

That then leaves a question mark as to who will open alongside Kraigg Brathwaite, with uncapped pair Rajindra Chandrika and Shane Dowrich believed to be the men most likely. Chandrika made a first innings half-century and a first-ball duck in last week’s tour match in Antigua against Australia while Dowrich, who isn't a natural opener, made two impressive half-centuries.

Simmons says all 14 players remain in the mix despite the Test being less than two days away from starting."I don't know. It (the pitch) looks a little bit different from yesterday," he said.

“It looks hard, bit patchy but I'll wait until tomorrow and see what it's like before we make that decision.”Simmons is, however, confident the furore over 164-Test veteran Chanderpaul's axing hasn't proven to be a distraction at all."It's about the team and we've got to just make sure we're ready as a team for the Test match on Wednesday," he said.

First Published In The AAP.

By CMC.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC - Lowly ranked West Indies, anxious to build on a momentum gained from a one all draw with England, are seeking to ignite the end of a 20 year domination by highly ranked Australia, when the two sides begin the first of a short test series here on Wednesday.

Morale is said to be high in a West Indies team packed with young players who appear undaunted by the prospects of David and Goliath like contests that loom in Roseau and Kingston.

West Indies, eighth in the ICC test rankings, above Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, are planning to take the fight to Australia who are second to South Africa and who have not played a test since January.

“I think we are in a good frame of mind after the last test match with a win against England and a good week in Barbados,” said Captain Denesh Ramdin on Tuesday after an intense one week training camp in Bridgetown to prepare for the series.

“We did some good things and hopefully we could carry that into the game. We know that they are a good team. They will come hard at us and we need to stand up as big men and be counted for”.

The Aussies, on the other hand, will be eager to take on a Caribbean side without Shiv Chanderpaul who has played nine home series against them scoring five centuries and averaging 80.38 in the process.

The middle order vacancy created by Chanderpaul’s controversial exit is likely to be filled by Shane Dowrick who impressed with half-centuries in his two innings for the President’s XI during the tour match.

Jermaine Blackwood, whose role in the middle order takes on added importance with Chanderpaul’s omission, will hope to continue his form against the Australians after emerging as the leading West Indian run scorer in their recent series against England.

“They are a tough team but we have some youngsters who have done well in regional tournament,” Ramdin told WICB media.

“They have the talent. It’s just some experience at this level now so and they are going to get the opportunity. I think that are going to put up their hand and be counted for.”

The Aussies suffered a setback with opening batsman Chris Rogers ruled out due to symptoms of concussion after being struck on the helmet by a local bowler in the nets on Sunday.

He is expected to be replaced by Shaun Marsh who scored an impressive hundred in the tourists’ lone warm-up match against the President’s XI in Antigua.

The first match between Windies and the Aussies is the fourth time test is being played at Windsor Park where spin is said to be king.

Of the 101 wickets which have fallen at Windsor Park, spinners have claimed 58, leaving the two sides pondering their spin options.

West Indies will decide from the Guyanese duo of Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, while the visitors have brought Nathan Lyon and the uncapped Fawad Alam, the former Pakistani asylum seeker.

“We have some good spinners. They have some good batters so it’s going to be a keen contest,” the skipper said.

“We need to get to the right areas and put them under some pressure .New ball bowlers need to get early wickets”.

West Indies have not beaten Australia in a test match in 12 years and in a series in 23 years.

Michael Clarke’s men secured a 75 run win over the home side despite a 10 wicket haul from local hero Shane Shillingford, the last and only time these two countries met at Windsor Park three years ago.

“It is very important that the main players go out there and stand up and put our hands up and do the bulk of the batting for the team,” he said.

“We know what Marlon (Samuels) is capable of young Darren Bravo who has been here for six seven years now. So it will rest on his shoulders, so he knows that and I think he is going to do well in this series”.

By CMC.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Minister of Sport Brent Sancho was on hand to crown the TML Fun League Champions, Curepe Jamaat, as curtains came down on the 10th edition of TML Cricket on Saturday in St Joseph.

A record three finals were held on the night — The Fun League, The Championship League and The Premier League.

The evening commenced with the Fun League Final where Curepe Jamaat defeated Bamboo Jamaat. Nasir Khan of Curepe took the first hat-trick of the tournament with the first three balls of the game, removing Bamboo’s top three batsmen Mikaeel Mohammed, Shuaib Ramjag and Aleem Mohammed. Bamboo recovered somewhat to post 57 all out. Curepe with an undefeated 20 from Shahir Ali and 17 from captain Sameer Hoosaney got home with just two balls to spare. 

Meanwhile, Warrenville Jamaat came up against Four Roads Freeport in the Championship League Final. Freeport posted 71 for five thanks to a well played 33 from Akeem Khan. Warrenville, not looking their usually composed selves, needed 11 to win from the last over. Salim Hosein blasted three fours in as many balls to end on 52 not out off just 21 balls to take Warrenville to their first ever TML title. For his all-round efforts Salim Hosein was later named 2015 TML Cricket, Most Valuable Player. 

The Premier Divison final saw Endeavour Jamaat against Diego Martin Jamaat. Star player Fazil Baksh of Endeavour with 35 from just 22 balls ensured that his side posted a challenging 69 for five. Diego Martin never threatened the total due to tight bowling and fielding from Endeavour, managing just 43 for five at the end of their allotted overs. 

Naim Khan of TML Cricket addressed the large audience at the closing ceremony, outlining brief details of the ten-year history of the competition and the advance technologies used. Khan awarded his long-serving committee members and all winners on the night. 

Fire Power Fireworks provided the crowd with a display of fireworks, marking the tenth anniversary of TML Cricket which is sponsored by R Khan Trading and Eniath’s Printing Co.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The seventh edition of the Endeavour Premier League Twenty20 bowls off on June 15 with a reduced number of teams and a first prize of $30,000.

The competition, which featured 32 teams in the past, will see 24 teams, including 2014 champions Spoilers, taking part in a more compact tournament spread over just six weeks.

The teams will be divided into four groups of six with the top four after the group stage moving on to the Round of 16.

In addition to the first prize, there will be a runners-up purse of $20,000 on offer. The third place team will pocket $10,000 while the fourth place team will get $5,000.

All matches will be played at Avidesh Samaroo Park in Endeavour, Chaguanas, and the prospective teams for the 2015 season will meet with the EPL organising committee at the same venue today.

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad Guardian article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) has recorded a significant decrease in the number of disciplinary matters coming before them during the 2015 season which is currently drawing to a close.

This was revealed by TTCB general secretary Arjoon Ramlal who attributed the development to the success of the restructuring of the top-tier National League competitions and the board’s emphasis on a strict disciplinary code of conduct.

Ramlal, chairman of the North East Zonal Council was addressing members of the Movement For Change support group who currently hold governance of the T&TCB executive headed by its president Azim Bassarath. The Movement For Change swept the “Friends of Cricket” administration led by former West Indies player Deryck Murray out of office in 2009 after only serving one two-year term while Bassarath is in his third consecutive stint at the helm.

The board general secretary said that much success has been registered in all their competitions which are coming to a close, singling out the Premiership, and Championship league tournaments; the national 50-Overs tournament; and the NGC sponsored T20 Festival. The Premier One League, and the 50-Overs tournaments  have been captured by Queen’s Park, while the NGC T20 was won by Merry Boys.

Ramlal also mentioned the staging of the Central Zone Ramsingh Sports T20 tournament, won by Orange Field, and whose quarter-finals, “semis”, and final were staged under lights at the National Cricket Centre Ground in Balmain, Couva for the first time. Ramlal said he was also looking forward to the Courts Inter Zone Club championships which will take centre stage sometime in July as the match-ups depend on the completion of the respective zonal tournaments which are yet to be decided.

Apart from the cricket action on the national stage, the leading board official also revealed that T&T will also be involved in several regional competitions in the coming months mainly involving the youth teams. The Under-17s will be in action from July 6 to 17 while hosting the regional tournament in Tobago; the Under-15s will travel to Guyana for their assignment from July 20 to 30; and the Under-19s will be engaged from August 3 to 20 in Jamaica.

After a trophy-less 2014 season T&T are hoping for more satisfying results this time around and Ramlal is confident that all has been done in the preceding months to give the national cricketers a more than even chance of multiple success in 2015. And notwithstanding the evidence of a smooth and tightly-knit T&TCB operation, Ramlal said that the review process is already underway by a committee headed by T&TCB executive member Baldath Mahabir, chairman of the Marketing Committee, and a director on the West Indies Cricket Board. 

“We are always looking to improve in our administrative capabilities despite already been acknowledged as the best administrated sports organisation locally and regionally,” said Ramlal. He also said that contributing to the success enjoyed over the season were the hardworking coaches, managers, office staff, groundsmen, sponsors and officials of the local government bodies who all work together to ensure the nation’s most popular sport is played without any hiccups. 

First Published In The Trinidad Guardian.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The California Women’s Windball Cricket League crowned a new champion at the end of its 29th season on Sunday.

Cricket Lovers, a team from Arima, clinched the title on the final day of competition to complete their most successful season in the league, having won the season- opening round-robin competition as well.

Success for Cricket Lovers came in their 10th season in the annual competition, and victory was confirmed without they having to take the field. Cricket Lovers had completed their full schedule of matches before the final day of competition on Sunday, finishing with a tally of 10 points from five wins and one defeat. 

On Sunday, their nearest rivals Ball Players won their final match at Macaulay Park by eight wickets, and in the process, they tied with Cricket Lovers on 10 points. However, Ball Players finished on a marginally lower net run-rate (0.87 to Cricket Lovers’ 0.96), thus conceding the championship to Cricket Lovers. 

An elated skipper, Jennelle Charles said the entire Cricket Lovers unit was naturally thrilled at finally finishing on top. 

Net run-rate decided the top five places, as the third, fourth and fifth-placed teams all finished on six points. Players took third place, Victors were fourth and Base Girls fifth. Defending league champions Tamana United had a disappointing tournament, finished down the standings in sixth place with four points, while the hapless Trinland lost all their matches. 

Attention switches to the 12 overs-a-side knock-out competition that starts today with three matches, starting at 2 pm at Macaulay Park, when Cricket Lovers will take on Trinland. At 4.30 pm, Ball Players will play Victors and, at 7 pm, Players will tackle Base Girlz.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Rain held up play on the first day of the final round matches in the Shanghai Construction Premier Division One yesterday.

The defending champions Merry Boys limped to 130 for nine at stumps against Alescon Comets at Diego Martin Recreation Ground where only 47 overs were possible.

Spinner Kissoondath Magram did most of the damage for Comets, grabbing six wickets for 49 runs while Mario Belcon resisted for Merry Boys with 43.

In Port of Spain, PowerGen Penal closed the day on 124 for two against leaders Queen’s Park Cricket Club at the Oval with Gregory Mahabir hitting an unbeaten 53. Only 31 overs were possible at the Oval.

On Tuesday night the Parkites were crowned Sunday League 50 over champions following their win over PowerGen in the final round of the competition. They have a 25-point lead over Merry Boys in the Premier Division three-day standings and will most likely wrap up that tournament this weekend when the final round of matches conclude.

In South Trinidad no play was possible between First Citizens Clarke Road United and Jenexcon Tableland at Wilson Road, Penal while Esmeralda Sports were 112 for seven at stumps against Preysal Sports at Inshan Ali Park in Preysal.

The other Premier Division One match did not play with Caldrac Club opting not to play the match as they stage a silent protest.

Caldrac claim that the quality of umpiring for the 2015 season was not up to the required high standard.

Summarised Scores

At Queen’s Park Oval

PowerGen Penal 124-2 (Gregory Mahabir 53 n.o., Adrian Paharry 33 n.o.) vs QPCC

At Diego Martin

Merry Boys 130-9 (47 overs)(Mario Belcon 43, Samuel Felix 20; Kissoondath Magram 6/49) vs Alescon Comets

At Barrackpore West Secondary

Victoria United vs Caldrac Club

–Caldrac forfeited the match

At Inshan Ali Park

Esmeralda 112-7 (39 overs) (Kristoff Andrews 31 n.o., Hakeem Mitchell 23; Bryan Charles 3/34, Yohance Boxill 2/39) vs Preysal Sports

At Wilson Road

Clarke Road United vs Jenexcon Tableland

–No play

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Fatima College beat Trinity East College by seven wickets yesterday in the National Under-16 final of the Secondary Schools Cricket League.

Batting first, Trinity East posted 167 all out with opener Keagan Simmons setting the perfect platform with a half-century. Simmons stroked 89 but no other batsman made a significant score.

Wendel George (2/48), Josh Dookie (2/3) and Andel Nicholas (2/29) were the pick of the bowlers. 

In reply, Fatima’s top order got the job done despite noone scoring a half-century. Openers Michael Gonsalves (47) and Stefan Des Vignes (37) go them on track while Joshua Araujo-Wilson (25), Michael Ambard (31 not out) and Wendel George (25 not out) helped finish the chase.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Drifters defeated Blood Brothers by six wickets last Thursday in a Men’s Division encounter of the Partnership Constituency-sponsored Tyro Sports Club Windball Cricket League, at the Bourg Mulatresse Ground, San Juan.

Blood Brothers posted a score of 108 runs for six wickets in their allotted 12 overs with Darius Besai hitting 36 and Shem Mohammed 15. 

In response, Drifters reached 109/4 with three deliveries to spare with a topscore of 30 from Dexter Samuel, while Ryan Ramesray made 21 not out and Rocky Jacobs 20. 

Also on Thursday, Anthrax cruised to a 29-run win over Jaggan United in a 45-and-over fixture. 

Anthrax tallied 107/5 in 12 overs with Alex Frederick hitting 20, while Jaggan United were restricted to 78/7 in 12 overs. 

Other Results - 

May 18 - 

Men’s Division - 

JAGGAN UNITED 79/9 (12 overs) - Perry Jaggan 27; Rashaad Harris 5/8 vs LA FAMILIA DE CRICKET 76/9 (12 overs) - Kenton Charles 16; Tom Lalloo 2/3. Jaggan United won by three runs. 

UNITED PROGRESSORS 89/9 (12 overs) - Sheldon Thomas 39; Alex Frederick 3/16 vs ANTHRAX 59 (11.1 overs) - A Frederick 20; Cudbert McMayo 4/4. United Progressors won by 30 runs. 

May 19 - 

Men’s Division - 

XMEN 121/1 (12 overs) - Clint Williams 60 not out, Robert Brathwaite 25 vs CULTURE 31 (11.4 overs) - Nazir Dwarika 3/5, Ken Charles 3/11. Xmen won by 90 runs. 

HOME BOYS 86/7 (12 overs) - Alden Daniel 16; Vimal Baleay 3/10 vs BLOOD BROTHERS 89/6 (11.2 overs) - Darius Besai 33, Roshan Racharan 19. Blood Brothers won by four wickets. 

May 21 - 

Men’s Division - 

FIRE SERVICE 108/9 (12 overs) - Kedar Woods 36, Giovanni Sylvester 15; Rick Cassie 2/3 vs POLICE 103/6 (12 overs) - Zapher Richards 21, Ryan Cassie 20; Nigel Meltz 2/13. Fire Service won by five runs. 

May 22 - 

Women’s Division - 

CRICKET LOVERS 95/8 (12 overs) - Jovanka Simon 20; Ria Mungroo 3/11 vs BALL PLAYERS 80/7 (12 overs) - Kirbyina Alexander 42 not out. Cricket Lovers won by 15 runs. 

Men’s Division - 

DRIFTERS 95/6 (12 overs) - Colin Britto 23, Sherwin Raymond 14; Shakil Stewart 16 vs LA FAMILIA DE CRICKET 98/5 (12 overs) - Devon Charles 36, Junior Maxwell 21 not out. La Familia De Cricket won by five wickets. 

JAGGAN UNITED 44 (8.4 overs) vs HOME BOYS 47/2 (5 overs) - Jaron Alfred 13. Home Boys won by eight wickets. 

May 24 - 

Men’s Division - 

LAW BREAKERS 110 (11.2 overs) - Terrance Hinds 26, Sameer Ali 15; Keston Monesar 2/10 vs POLICE 77/6 (12 overs) - Keston Monesar 12 not out; Ryan Griffith 3/15. Law Breakers won by 33 runs. 

May 26 - 

45-and-over Division - 

CULTURE 77/7 (12 overs) - Leon Barron 19; Andy Ruiz 4/11 vs DRIFTERS 79/6 (11.2 overs) - Gregory Webb 23. Drifters won by four wickets. 

Men’s Division - 

LEGENDS 115/3 (12 overs) - Gregory Quevedo 29 not out; Sheldon Thomas 23 vs HEAD GONE 86 (11.3 overs) - Imran Hosein 23. Legends won by 29 runs. 

May 27 - 

Men’s Division - 

XMEN 90/6 (12 overs) - Clint Williams 28; Kenrick Edwards 2/13 vs UNITED PROGRESSORS 72/6 (12 overs) - Sheldon Thomas 10; Dean Charles 3/15. Xmen won by 18 runs.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) stands ready to support and assist in the revival of cricket in the floundering South Zonal Council.

This was the pledge made by president of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath, when he recently addressed members of the Movement For Change supporters’ group which he heads and whose members dominate the present administration of the TTCB. 

Bassarath was addressing the concerns raised by South Zone member Ramnarace Seepaul of a lack of transparency and accountability in the conduct of the zone’s affairs highlighted by a failure to hold meetings and properly execute their responsibilities. 

Seepaul said because of the administrative inactivity at the zonal level, cricket has been suffering and the TTCB is not to blame as the zone is controlled by officials opposed to the present administration. 

However in addressing the queries raised, Bassarath admitted that he was unaware of what was happening at the zonal level since no official complaint has been made about the zone administration to the TTCB. 

But he advised Seepaul that there must be some consensus among other members and officials about the worrying state of affairs and that an official letter must be written outlining their concerns to the TTCB. “Only then can we intervene and take the appropriate action to resolve the issues so as to get cricket back on a sound footing on and off the field in the South Zonal Council,” said Bassarath. 

The board has been revamping the Central Zone after it also developed similar problems in its administration, moving quickly to install a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the zone. 

Bassarath praised the groundwork laid by committee chairman Manohar Ramsaran and other officials including Richard Ramkissoon, Mishri Lutchmedial and Lalman Kowlessar for rising to the occasion to avert a major crisis. 

He said that under the caretaker committee, Central Zone was able to complete their zonal obligations and successful by stage the Ramsingh Sports T20 tournament, the final stages of which were played under lights at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva. 

“It was a big turnaround for which we are grateful because people tend to forget that when Central Zone cricket was strong, Trinidad and Tobago cricket was strong so we all have an interest in helping the zone get back on top,” said Bassarath. 

He said the TTCB has also been very forceful in making representation to the Ministry of Sports and he expressed satisfaction in the way the present officeholder Brent Sancho has been addressing the concerns of cricket. 

Bassarath said that Sancho has already handed over close to a million dollars to cricket clubs who participate in the National League and zonal competitions, with the women’s cricket federation and Tobago also benefitting. 

The local cricket chief said that another tranche of financial payments to the main cricket stakeholders will be forthcoming following representation by the TTCB who have been in the forefront of pressing the case for increased assistance for struggling clubs. 

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

TTCB Media Release.

Couva, Trinidad - The construction of a three-tier stand to accommodate at least 1,000 patrons will firmly establish the National Cricket Centre at Balmain in Couva as the main hub of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago. 

The project is expected to cost approximately TT $40 million and is one of the major objectives of the T&T Cricket Board as it moves to develop the NCC into a progressive national sports organisation. 

Making the announcement was Azim Bassarath who said that the stands will extend from the Dr Alloy Lequay Administrative Building in the east to the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre to the west.   

He said that apart from comfortably seating 1,000 patrons, there would also be provision for concessionaires stalls, washrooms,adequate parkling and other amenities befitting a modern facility which cricket fans can utilise and be proud of. 

Bassarath said that the process of shaping the NCC into an internationally accepted venue to host cricket matches is almost complete with the successful staging of   matches in the Regional 4-Day Tournament and the Nagico Super50 competition last season. 

The local cricket chief pointed to the installation of floodlights at the ground which now facilitates day-night cricket and was host of the NGC T20 Festival, and the final stages of the Central Zone Ramsingh Sports Twenty20 tournament. 

He said he was looking forward to the upcoming regional women’s competition which will be staged in T&T from August 4 to 20 when the NCC will again play host to what is expected to be an exciting battle for regional supremacy. 

Bassarath also complimented the West Indies women’s team captained by T&T’s Melissa Aguilleria for their recent outstanding tour of Sri Lanka and also highlighted the leadership of manager Ann Brown-John, a former regional and national captain.   

The former president of the Umpires and Scorers Association, serving his third consecutive term of office said that every effort will also be made to generate revenue for the T&TCB through the marketing of advertising space currently available at the NCC. 

Bassarath said the board was informed by marketing experts that the location of the NCC alongside the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway was a prime spot, from San Fernando to Grand Bazaar, for a digital signboard which would bring value for money to advertisers and plans are afoot to capitalise on this attractive business opportunity. 

TTCB Media Release.

By CMC.

ROSEAU, Dominica – Captain Denesh Ramdin said Friday West Indies had been guilty of not capitalising on positions of strength, and had also failed to cope with the pressure Australia created during the opening Test at Windsor Park.

West Indies slumped to a nine-wicket loss here Friday after suffering yet another batting capitulation. Trailing by 170 runs on first innings, the Windies were 181 for three at one stage just prior to tea but lost seven wickets for 35 runs to be all out for 216 in their second innings.

Australia raced to their target of 47 in just five overs, for the loss of David Warner for 28, to complete victory inside three days.

“We’ll try and take the positives out of this game and move forward. As I said, they are a good unit and we need to play a lot tougher cricket,” Ramdin explained.

“When we are in positions of strength we need to carry that on. That partnership with Marlon (Samuels) and young (Shane) Dowrich, if they could have taken it to maybe 200 [that would have been good].

“It’s a very difficult pitch to start [but] guys who got starts went on. You saw Adam Voges, he got that start and he made a big hundred for his team.

“They swung the ball, they bowled good areas, they created pressure which they normally do and we didn’t handle that pressure as well as we could have.”

The day was highlighted by excellent half-centuries by Samuels who hit a top score of 74 and debutant Dowrich, who stroked 70. They put on 144 for the fourth wicket to pull West Indies around from 37 for three inside the first hour, when Darren Bravo perished for five in the sixth over of the day.

Once Dowrich fell nine minutes before tea, however, the innings went into rapid decline with no other batsman getting past 12.

Ramdin pointed out that West Indies’ problems had stemmed from a poor first innings performance.

“It’s not the start that we wanted. We didn’t bat as well as we could’ve in the first innings. We made 148 on a good pitch and then we had them with nine wickets down [for 221] but that partnership for the last wicket (97 between Adam Voges and Josh Hazlewood) took it away from us,” he explained.

“Marlon Samuels and young Dowrich batted really well but that hour before and after the tea break is where we lost the game.”

Ramdin also batted away suggestions that West Indies should have bowled first.

“We decided once we won the toss we were going to bat. That was no excuse, we batted poorly. Our shot selection wasn’t up to standard.”

West Indies face Australia in the second Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica starting next Thursday.

By CMC.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Adrian Ali played a key role in helping Alescon Comets avoid relegation in the Shanghai Construction Group Premier Division One competition but feels he is being unfairly treated by his club after Comets fined the batsman two months of his salary for an incident that took place earlier in the season.

Ali was involved in an altercation with a PowerGen Penal player during their Sunday League 50-over round five match in April.

The National League Disciplinary Committee subsequently fined the players involved with Ali getting a $2,000 fine.

The 26-year-old right-hander, Ali, claimed that he was only informed of the club's decision to fine him two months' salary after their round eight match against Caldrac, which Comets won to ensure their place in the top flight next season.

Ali said he scored 402 runs in the three-day league competition and totalled 342 in the Sunday League 50-over tournament. He admitted that he lost his cool against PowerGen but felt the punishment from the club was excessive and that he was seeking legal advice on the matter.

Ali also claimed that he made himself available for the final round clash against Merry Boys which started on Thursday but was not selected in the final XI despite scoring half-centuries in the previous two league games against Caldrac and Esmeralda.

A Comets official said the executive of the club will meet on Monday and will make a statement following that meeting.

The three-day league competition concludes on Sunday.

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Queen's Park will be aiming to clinch the Shanghai Construction- sponsored Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) National League Premiership crown this weekend when the Final Round concludes.

The inclement weather on Thursday hampered the start of play in the three-day competition, which resumes today and concludes tomorrow. 

The Parkites only need to gain at least five points in their tussle against PowerGen, at the Queen’s Park Oval, to walk away with the Premiership title. 

On Thursday, PowerGen reached 124 runs for two wickets against the Parkites with veteran batsman Gregory Mahabir unbeaten on 53 and Adrian Paharry on 33. 

Merry Boys were in trouble at 130/9 against Alescon Comets at the Diego Martin Recreation Ground while Esmeralda Sports were struggling at 112/7 versus Preysal at the Inshan Ali Park. 

Also on Thursday, persistent rainfall prevented a ball being bowled on the opening day between First Citizens Clarke Road and Jenexcon Tableland, while Caldrac Club have forfeited their encounter against Victoria United at Barrackpore.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Trinidad Guardian article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Sitting in the stands twiddling his fingers and thinking what might have been, had he transformed into ‘whites’ and get unto the playing field, Shane Shillingford vows to make a Test comeback.

As the Dominican sits in the Grayson and Irving Shillingford stand, he sees Devendra Bishoo grabs another wicket and is man enough to admit the Guyanese deserves his pick on the West Indies team to play against Australia.

“Let’s be fair and realistic, the selectors have gone for the men who finished number one and two in the domestic tournament, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul. I have no problems with that because they are being rewarded for a good season and this is how it should be.”

Shillingford was reported for a suspect bowling action twice and has been working on getting his action right over the past season. 

He has so far played 16 Tests taking 70 wickets at 34.55. 

He has taken five wickets or more on six occasions and has actually grabbed 20 wickets in two matches at Windsor Park in Dominica.

At the moment he is looking to force his way back to the top level of the game. “I am still involved in a lot of cricket. playing for Windwards Volcanoes have kept me busy. We have been training for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where I will represent the St Lucia Zouks. 

“I am currently waiting to join the camp and I am hoping for a great tournament.”

Coming back from a bowling ban is difficult and play on the bowlers mind but Shillingford is counting his lucky stars that his support team has been there with him. 

“I have gotten a lot of support locally and has done a lot of work with Vasbert (Drakes). I am now cleared but the work continues and I normally do clips of my bowling and send it to Vasbert and (Richard) Pybus the cricket development director, for their further advice on the matter. 

“Coming from the rehabilitation and going into the first class season I felt good. I am working on a lot of variations to still be effective.”

Shillingford was banned from bowling the doosra (delivery moving away from the right hander by an off-spin bowler) and still does not bowl it although being cleared recently.  I don’t bowl the doosra at matches. I am still working on it and wants to do more work on it before using it again. Vasbert has been telling me to work on other variations like using the crease and flight to get at batsmen.

“I tried this during the past First Class season with my stock balls, which is the off-break and the arm-ball and did get some success. Vasi wants me to start using the doosra again, he told me it is not a situation of my cutting it out, it is about how comfortable I feel using it.”

In the meantime, it is all about getting comfortable with his action and looking to get back into the wickets column.

First Published In The Trinidad Guardian.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Preysal scored the only outright victory as the Shanghai Construction Premier Division One competition concluded yesterday across the country.

Preysal recorded a seven-wicket victory over Esmeralda Sports at Inshan Ali Park after they resumed from their overnight score of 172 for six. Preysal reached 212 on the back of a knock of 61 of Stephen Murray for a lead of exactly 51.

Preysal’s Bryan Charles then spearheaded the bowling attack that limited Esmeralda to 90 all out in their second innings, giving Preysal a meagre wining target of 39.

They duly attained the goal with a second-innings effort of 42 for three.

At the Queen’s Park Oval, Queen’s Park Cricket Club had already secured the crown Saturday evening as the rain-interrupted match petered out into a draw.

Draws were also in order for Jenexcon Tableland and FC Clarke Road at Wilson Road and Merry Boys while Alescon Comets had another rain-affected day of play as the two teams had to settle for a draw.

Summarised scores:

At Inshan Ali Park:

Esmeralda 161 (Kristoff Andrews 50 not out, Hakeem Mitchell 23, Yohance Boxhil 5/59, Bryan Charles 3/46) and 90 (Boxhil 3/26, Kamil Pooran 2/27, Charles 4/34) vs Preysal 212 (Stephen Murray 61, Videsh Sookhai 36, Kerwin Sirju 5/67) and 42/3 (Kamil Pooran 22 not out)

–Preysal won by seven wickets

At Queen’s Park Oval:

Powergen 216 (Gregory Mahabir 62, Adrian Paharry 34, Ancil Bhagan 34, Miguel Cummins 4/50, Khary Pierre 3/35) and 90/4 (Nicholas Sookdeosingh 25 not out, Kieron Pollard 3/21) vs Queen’s Park 166 (Akeal Hosein 33, Bhagan 4/46, Kavesh Kantasingh 2/39, Strassark Sankar 2/43, Jovan Ali 2/6) – Match drawn

At Wilson Road:

Jenexcon Tableland 257 (Brent Harriot 73, Cephas Cooper 49, Al Small 40, Yannick Ottley 5/73, Samuel Roopnarine 4/62) vs F.C Clarke Road 248/8 declared (Ranga Latchana 69 not out, Mark Deyal 56, Antonio Greenidge 55, Andre Brown 4/89, William Perkins 2/28, Chanderpaul Hemraj 2/27)

–Match drawn

At Diego Martin:

Merry Boys 134 (Mario Belcon 43, Samuel Felix 20, Kissoondath Magram 7/50) vs Alescon Comets 100 (Imran Khan 31, Aneil Kanhai 5/28, Ryan Hinds 4/33)

–Match drawn

At Barrackpore West:

Jailal Enterprise Victoria vs Caldrac

– Caldrac forfeited match

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - ZNS Construction Crew booked their place in the semi-finals of the Biche Sports Foundation Seenath’s Auto Parts Limited Twenty20 tournament with an easy five-wicket win over Police in the first playoff at Biche Recreation Ground on Friday night.

Batting first, Police posted 176 for eight with Hollister Pajotte leading the way with 87. But that was not enough as ZNS knocked off the runs in 18 overs, reaching 177 for five in reply to reach the last four.

They join already qualified Cushe United who topped the league standings with four wins out of five matches to earn an automatic spot in the semis.

Cushe’s only loss came against second placed Raiders who also earned an automatic place in the last four. Raiders won three out of five matches in the group stage including an easy 75-run win in their final round match against Cushe.

The other place in the semi-finals will be decided tomorrow when hosts Biche Sports tackle Cunaripo Fight Spirit in the second playoff bowling off at 6.30 p.m. at Biche Recreation Ground.

When the two sides met in the group stage last week, Biche came away with a 16-run win in a high-scoring affair.

Biche batted first in that encounter and made 192 for eight before restricting Cunaripo to 176 for seven.

The winners will advance to the semis which will be played on Thursday and Friday at the same venue from 6.30 p.m.

The teams will be battling for a first prize of $20,000. The second place team will pocket $10,000 while the third and fourth place teams will get $7,000 and $2,500 respectively.

The grand final and third place playoff will take place on June 19.

Summarised scores

Police 176-8 (20 overs) (Hollister Pajotte 87, Freedom McKenna 34; Akiel Timothy 2/28) vs ZNS Construction Crew 177-5 (18 overs) (Joel Graham 44, Devon Nelson 42, Jesse Diaz 33; Deron Nancoo 1/18)

—ZNS won by five wickets

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Bamboo Grove Settlement #1 Sporting Committee have issued an invitation to the cricketing public to their Grand Finals, to be held at the Bamboo #1 Recreation Ground, Valsayn this weekend.

The Best of the Rest (Losers Plate) will be contested between Gunners and Road Runners, on Friday, from 7.15pm. 

The Women’s Finals will feature Ball Players United versus Tamana United, on Saturday from 6 pm. And the Men’s Finals will follow two hours later, between ASII and Winners, while the prize-giving ceremony is carded for 10 pm. 

Prize Structure - 

Men’s Division - 1st Place $10,000; 2nd Place - $5,000. 

Women’s Division - 1st Place $5,000; 2nd Place $3,000. 

Best of the Rest Division - 1st Place $2,000; 2nd Place $1,000.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.