Ramdin gives TT fighting chance

TT Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin. PHOTO COURTESY RED FORCE CRICKET.
TT Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin. PHOTO COURTESY RED FORCE CRICKET.

A determined effort, led by captain Denesh Ramdin yesterday, gave the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force a glimmer of hope to salvage a favourable result, going into today’s final day against the Barbados Pride in the Digicel Regional Four-Day tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

Going into yesterday’s third day of play, Barbados were in full control, with TT in disarray on 146 for eight in reply to the visitors’ 316 all out in the first innings. The Pride are still in the driver’s seat to win the match, but the Red Force will be aiming to spoil their Christmas party after their captain dug them out of serious trouble with a rearguard knock of 132 not out.

After a 45-minute delay in the morning session because of rain, Ramdin, resuming on 74 not out, continued his valiant innings and brought up another first class century to guide the Red Force to a respectable 214 all out in the first innings.

Barbados closed on 188/7 in the second innings for an overall lead of 290 runs.

Speaking to Newsday at the close of play, Ramdin said, “It was a good fight by the lower order with myself and young Bryan Charles – we had good partnership. Although he did not get much runs, the way he batted, he held the innings with myself to get my hundred.

We came back and we fought in the bowling to get some wickets. But I think that 100-run lead Barbados got will put them more in the driver’s seat going into tomorrow (today).”

Red Force began the day desperate for runs as they were still trailing the Pride by 170 runs. Starting the day on 74 off 177 balls, Ramdin faced the lion’s share of deliveries to frustrate the Pride bowlers. The TT skipper shielded his partner Bryan Charles as the pair shared in a 69-run ninth wicket stand. Ramdin finished unbeaten on 132 off 294 deliveries, which included 13 fours. Charles was dismissed for a defiant two off 44 balls, before Ricky Jaipaul was dismissed for a first-ball duck.

Fast bowler Justin Greaves took both wickets yesterday for the Pride to finish with 2/26 in 12.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the star of the innings for Barbados, claiming 6/71 in 39 overs.

In the second innings, Barbados batted positively in an effort to build a big lead quickly. They got to 101/2 with an overall lead of more than 200 runs with Shamarh Brooks (37) and Anthony Alleyne leading from the front.

On the stroke of tea Alleyne, attempting a big shot, played onto his stumps to give leg-spinner Imran Khan the wicket. The Pride were 101/3 at tea.

Wickets fell regularly after tea with spin bowler Charles getting two as he utilised the rough spot on the pitch to exact turn. First he bowled out Kevin Stoute for one, then trapped Jonathan Carter leg before for 21, as the Pride were reduced to 105/5.

After a 17-run partnership between Kenroy Williams and Greaves, a moment of brilliance from Isaiah Rajah got the wicket of Greaves for two. Rajah, running 30 metres back from mid on, dived full stretch to hang on to a catch off Khan’s bowling.

Shamar Springer came to the middle and played some shots, hitting Khan for two fours in one over. With some help from Williams, who was eventually dismissed for 26, Springer scored an unbeaten 38 to guide the Pride to 188/7 at stumps. Khan ended with 3/70 in 22 overs.

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"Ramdin gives TT fighting chance"

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