SPORTS
Jonathan Ramnansingh
JONATHAN RAMNANSINGH
SCARLET IBIS got off to a flying start in the Namalco U-23 Cup on Wednesday as they defeated the Hummingbirds by 25 runs when first round action took place at the National Cricket Center in Balmain, Couva.
Sent into bat, the Scarlet Ibis were bowled out for 216 in 48.3 overs, but they successfully defended their total as the Hummingbirds were bowled out for 191 in 43.3 overs.
Scarlet Ibis openers Nathaniel McDavid (46) and Leonardo Francis (39) put on a stand of 81 before McDavid was caught by Tariq Mohammed off the spin of Navin Bidaisee. Eleven runs later, Bidaisee struck again after having earlier trapped Francis leg.
The pair’s departure triggered a minor collapse as captain Kirstan Kallicharan (13), Giovanni Ramdenny (nine), Leonardo Julien (16) and Anderson Mahase (four) departed, in that order, to send them to 144/6 after 36.2 overs.
Sachin Seecharan (34) and Sion Hackett (29), however, rescued the innings by building a 62-run partnership that took the Scarlet Ibis to 206.
When Hackett was caught by Mohammed off Damion Joachim, the remaining three wickets fell for just ten runs, which set a target of 217.
Bidaisee (3/32) and Joachim (3/34) finished with the best bowling figures for the Hummingbirds.
On their side at the crease, Hackett’s pace reaped quick rewards as he had Hummingbirds’ Mbeki Joseph (15) and skipper Cephas Cooper (one) both caught by Kallicharan after just 6.1 overs (23/2).
Middle-order batsman Justyn Gangoo showed the most resistance as he scored 42 off 50 balls, but Hackett would get his nod thanks to a catch by Julien.
Mohammed scored 36, while Bidaisee and Avinash Mahabirsingh scored 27 and 24 respectively.
Hackett finished on 4/44 from 9.3 overs, while Ramdenny took 2/3 from two, and Mahase 2/16.
For his stellar performance with the ball and save, Hackett was awarded man of the match.
The other Namalco U-23 Cup match between the Masqueraders and the Flamingos at the Inshan Ali Ground in Preysal was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet pitch.
In a brief opening ceremony held before the match in Couva, the cricketers were challenged to take their destiny into their own hands as the 2023 domestic season drew to a close.
Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) President Azim Bassarath called on the two teams to seriously invest in their personal development.
“TTCB is pleased to offer you all the opportunity to address the national selectors as the U-23s are very important in our national development programme.
“However there is only so much the TTCB can do. You also have to take responsibility and invest in your own growth and development, which will take your game to the next level,” said Bassarath.
TTCB president, third vice-president Parasram Singh and TT Red Force coach David Furlonge met the players of both the teams before the four-team tournament sponsored by Namalco ended.
Bassarath said the TTCB is putting emphasis on the U-23 because it is the only age group missing from the national squad, which has a wealth of talent.
“I hope you all take advantage of the opportunity that is being presented to you by putting your best foot forward with individual performances that will help your team achieve success.”
He also thanked Namalco Construction Services Limited for its generous sponsorship of TT$120 thousand and said this investment will significantly assist TTCB’s national youth development plans.
