Calypso Warriors crush Guyana to retain crownFriday, November 6 2009
GEORGETOWN: Trinidad and Tobago crushed Guyana by 81 runs last night to retain their President’s Cup 50-Overs regional title in style at the National Stadium in Providence.
It was the Calypso Warriors’ third regional title in four years and went one better after finishing runners-up recently to New South Wales Blues in the final of the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India.
TT made a challenging total of 286 for six and Guyana were dismissed for 205 in the 45th over.
For his all-round performance Kieron Pollard (57 runs and three wickets for 30 runs) was named “Man of the Match”
Openers Adrian Barath and Lendl Simmons gave their team a rapid start only for Barath to fall in the fourth over for 18 to Esuan Crandon caught by Devendra Bishoo.
Simmons and elegant left-hander Darren Bravo shared in a second wicket partnership of 48 runs to keep the TT innings flowing.
Simmons who was left out of the West Indies team for the tour of Australia was run out attempting a quick single for 31. Darren Bravo and captain Ganga then laid the foundation for the commanding TT total with a pivotal third-wicket partnership of 92 runs.
The partnership was eventually broken by Royston Cradon when he had Ganga caught by brother Esuan Crandon for 46.
Bravo who recovered from a shoulder injury to play in the final followed soon after for a well played 46 caught by Travis Dowlin off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine.
And older brother Dwayne was run out in quick succession as TT were reduced to 215 for five.
However, Denesh Ramdin joined Pollard and they ensured that TT finished strongly. They dealt several lusty blows in an attacking partnership which yielded 69 runs.
Ramdin finished unbeaten on 44 and Pollard was dismissed at the close of the innings for 57.
Faced with the daunting target of 287 to get, hosts Guyana started slowly against some accurate bowling by Samuel Badree and Ravi Rampaul, who was picked on the West Indies team to tour Australia later this month.
