SPORTS
Come on Beckles
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force player Jyd Goolie, 25, thanked his parents and was moved to remember his late grandmother after scoring a half-century in his first List A matches in the CG United Super50 Cup at Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, on Wednesday.
Goolie, who was eager to grab the opportunity in just his third List A match, helped the Red Force beat the Guyana Harpy Eagles by six points.
When Goolie came to the crease, the Red Force were in a shaky position at 88/4 after 20 overs chasing 183.
Goolie, who was part of the West Indies team that won the International Cricket Council U-19 World Cup in 2016, combined with Red Force captain Nicholas Pooran in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 95 runs.
The left-hander duo took the Red Force to 183/4 in 34.3 overs.
Goolie finished on 58 not out from 58 deliveries, an innings that included two fours and five sixes. Pooran was equally impressive hitting one four and five sixes in his unbeaten 56 off 47 balls.
“Going out there I was a little nervous. It was my first time playing List A cricket,” said Goolie after the match.
He played two List A games before Wednesday’s game but failed to feature.
Goolie’s parents always attend his matches, regularly making the long journey from South Oropouche to Queen’s Park Oval.
After the Red Force game on Wednesday, Goolie’s parents were waiting in the parking lot to congratulate him.
Goolie is grateful for his parents and while speaking to reporters, he looked up to the sky when he spoke of his grandmother.
“They are my number one supporters and I am grateful for them every day. They continue to support me… my grandmother up there, I really appreciate her and I will continue to make my country proud.”
He tried to maintain a positive mindset despite the Red Force being 88/4.
“Like Nicholas said, I just backed up my ability. Over the last couple of months I’ve put a lot of work into my all-round game.”
Goolie, who has been in the Red Force for several years, has not cemented his place in the team.
“I finally got an opportunity and I just wanted to grab it with both hands and it paid off.”
Goolie said he would not be complacent after promising against the Harpy Eagles.
“I don’t want to be too sure. I just want to take my time … put myself in a good position (and) get myself back … depending on who I’m up against will make it easier for me as well and hopefully the team will get over the line again.”
Goolie said that bumping into Pooran helped calm his nerves.
“What made it easier was running into West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran. It made it easier for me to take my time, be calm, cool and play my natural game.”
The Harpy Eagles were reeling at 97/8 but a 79-run eighth-wicket partnership between Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie saved the innings.
The Harpy Eagles still only managed a modest 182 in 45.2 overs.
Goolie said teams responding with partnerships when in trouble is part of the game. “Give or take all games have partnerships. We just got away (from us with) a couple of point catches, but that’s how the game goes. I’m glad we limited them to less than 200.”
The Red Force lead Zone A with 14 points, having won three of their five matches.
On Saturday, the Red Force will play the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the final Zone A match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba at 2pm. A win for the Red Force will seal a place in the semi-finals.
