SPORTS
Newsday reporter
A captain’s knock of 92 by Zane Maraj powered South to a 65-run victory over North on Sunday in the first game of the Price Club-sponsored under-13 classic cricket at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain. Couva.
Maraj hit 11 boundaries in his 111-ball knock and along with Shaan Ramtahal, who made 51 with three fours, lifted South to 220/5 in their 40 overs after being sent into bat by North.
And after rain intervened, North were set 191 to win in 29 overs under the Duckworth Lewis method, but were stifled by tight bowling and excellent fielding and could only muster 125/6 when their innings closed. Maraj was named man of the match and best batsman and Ramtahal won the man of the match award with his spell of 2/3 in two overs.
Jordan Julien completed a clean sweep of South’s awards in the final game when he was named man of the match with two outstanding catches in the deep.
Speaking at the closing ceremony after the match, TT Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath said the U-13 final marked the official end of the national cricket body’s shortened 2022 cricket season.
Bassarath said he was pleased that the TTCB has fulfilled all its plans following the lifting of restrictions on team sports by the Ministry of Health due to the Covid19 pandemic.
He particularly thanked sponsors Price Club of Chaguanas for their continued support of youth development with their involvement in the North/South Age Group Classics, following the inter-zonal tournament.
He said that all stakeholders including players, teachers, coaches, managers, parents, sponsors, TTCB administrative and ground staff, referees, scorers had all done an admirable job and deserve the highest praise.
Bassarath said all eyes will now be on the TTCB/Dream XI Trinidad T10 Blast now underway at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, in which top local cricketers are involved.
Domestic cricket fans will also have much more in the coming months with two Cricket West Indies Under-17 Women’s and Boys’ Under-17 tournaments, which will be followed by matches between West Indies and India.