PORT OF SPAIN-- Trinidad and Tobago cricket team whipped their hapless Jamaican counterparts by 49 runs to top Group A of the Caribbean T20 at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. T&T, the present Caribbean Twenty20 champions outplayed a star-studded but ineffective Jamaica team. Both teams, before the contest, had qualified for today's semi-final. However, this match was played to decide who will top the group.
Heavy rain and a soggy outfield caused the first match of the double-header (Leeward Islands against Canada) to be abandoned. But some extraordinary and patriotic hard work from the groundsmen had the ground in a minimum state of match readiness for a 9:00pm start. The match was also reduced to 18 overs per side.
Jamaica's Captain Tamar Lambert won the toss and invited the home team to bat first. After a first over that absorbed more than 15 minutes, which included a six and then a four and then an awkward fall by fast bowler Andre Russell, the more than fifteen thousand partisan supporters experienced an unforgettable treat that finished after midnight.
The star of the night was the lookalike of local cricket icon Brian Lara: 20-year-old Darren Bravo. He stroked a stylish 65 off 44 balls which was pleasing to behold. Bravo blasted four fours and three sixes. His efforts helped the winners post 157 for seven after they had slid to 58 for four with the dismissal of Captain Darren Ganga. But, Bravo and his brother Dwayne combined for a stroke-filled 69-run partnership off a mere 39 balls.
They demolished the wayward bowlers who at one time had the home team under tight rein. Nevertheless, when the brothers were set loose by an ordinary over from Wavell Hinds that went for 19, they blasted the ball around the slippery outfield thereafter. Jamaica's only outstanding bowler was Krishmar Santokie with five for 24 in four overs.
In reply, Jamaica - labelled as a strong batting side - but missing Chris Gayle for two matches in a row fell short badly. Xavier Marshall, who is the leading run scorer in the tournament, looked out of sorts for his top score of 25. The others who were expected to shoulder the batting in Marlon Samuel, Danza Hyatt, Hinds, Carlton Baugh and Russell seemed overawed by the magnitude of the task. It was a feeble reply to a doable task.
Guyana's final group match against Barbados was washed out yesterday afternoon. And up to press time, the match of no significance between Windward Islands and Combined Colleges and Campuses had not started because of a wet field. Nevertheless, the semi-finals match-up for today have been decided.
Hot favourites T&T are scheduled to play Guyana from 4:00pm and then Jamaica will go up against Barbados from 8:00pm.
If the semi-finals are rained out, T&T and Barbados by virtue of leading their group will play in final tomorrow from 8:00pm. Sunday has been set aside as a reserve day for the final.