THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) National Cricketer of the Year Jason Mohammed and opener Cephas Cooper were among the four players who cracked fifties in a Red Force trial match at the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Balmain, Couva on October 24 as preparations continue towards the November 19-29 CG United Super50 tourney, which will be held in Trinidad.
Batting first for the Terrance Hinds XI, Cooper made 73 off 84 balls while Mohammed cracked 68 off 75 to help their team to 242 all out in 46.1 overs. The fifties from Cooper and Mohammed weren’t quite enough to take the Hinds XI over the line, though, as the opposing Vikash Mohan XI got to 244 for eight in the 44th over to clinch a two-wicket victory.
The Mohan XI lost wickets steadily in pursuit of the modest total, but fifties by top-order batsman Shatrughan Rambaran (66 off 58) and allrounder Navin Bidaisee (54 not out off 76) saw them getting the victory. Rambaran was aggressive in his innings and crashed four sixes and three fours before he was trapped lbw by off-spinner Bryan Charles (two for 38) in the 19th over, with Bidaisee playing a more patient role as he struck two boundaries in an innings as he occupied the crease for nearly two hours.
The Mohan XI were well ahead of the required run rate for most of their innings, but seemed to be heading down a slippery slope when Leonardo Julien (24) and Brendon Boodoo (duck) were dismissed in consecutive overs to leave their team on 224 for eight. Bidaisee and new batsman Andrew Rambaran ensured there would be no collapse as they sealed the deal with a 20-run stand to take their team home.
Earlier, left-arm pacer Shaaron Lewis (three for 41) led the Mohan XI with the ball with the key scalps of James, Mohammed and Mark Deyal,with off-spinner Mikkel Govia grabbing two for 34.
The next two trial matches are currently scheduled for October 26 and 27, respectively at the NCC.
Summarised Scores:
TERRANCE HINDS XI – 242 from 46.1 overs (Cephas Cooper 73, Jason Mohammed 68, Joshua James 28; Shaaron Lewis 3/41, Mikkel Govia 2/34) vs VIKASH MOHAN XI – 244/8 from 43.5 overs (Shatrughan Rambaran 66, Navin Bidaisee 54 not out, Dejourn Charles 28; Bryan Charles 2/38, J James 1/19). Mohan XI won by two wickets.
NewsDay
