Searles (8/23) destroys Prisons

BY RENALDO MATADEEN

Queen's Park Cricket Club stormed into the semifinals of the TT Cricket Board 50-over competition yesterday, after an eight-wicket haul from Javon Searles destroyed Prisons at the Queen's Park Oval, St. Clair. They'll now face Central Sports on May 12 in semifinal one at the National Cricket Centre. FC Clarke Road moved into the other semifinal and will face the winner of Preysal versus BFL Sports come May 14 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba.

QPCC were left to chase a paltry 58 at the Oval after Searles ripped through the Prisons batting, picking up eight for 23 in 8.1 overs. The Parkites used just two bowlers, skittling the visitors for 57 with Anderson Phillip's spell of eight overs garnering him two for 26. Only Ravi Khan and Jerve Cummings mustered any sort of respectability as the lone batsmen who got into double figures with 11 each. The home team then raced to the target in just over nine overs with the loss of one wicket, with Justin Guillen getting to 20 and Jeremy Solozano making 28 not out to ensure QPCC maintained hopes of defending the 50-over crown. The Parkites won the tournament in 2017, but last year it was scrapped due to funding issues.

As for their upcoming opponents, Central Sports raced to an impressive eight-wicket win, despite Merry Boys making a confident 260 all out in 47.1 overs. Batting first, Merry Boys' Rishaad Harris top-scored with 59 while Amir Jangoo (48) and Hakeem Mitchell (40) also caused Central Sports' bowlers some problems. Mario Belcon chipped in with 29 while Nathaniel McDavid added 28 to try to restore some sense of pride to Merry Boys' season after they got relegated from the Premiership two-day competition. Kristopher Ramsaran took four for 62 while Ricky Jaipaul and Vishan Jagessar nabbed two apiece.

In their turn at the crease, Central Sports raced to 60 in just under six overs thanks to Kjorn Ottley's 37 off 24. He cracked eight fours before Uthman Muhammad had him LBW. Kamil Pooran and Keddy Lesporis then blazed the bowling to take the score to 222 in 28 overs. Pooran smashed 98 from 78 (10 fours, five sixes) while Lesporis ended unbeaten on 90 off 86 (13 fours, one six). When Pooran edged Muhammad behind to Jangoo, it was a mere formality as Guyanese Leon Johnson came in with a knock of 13 to help Lesporis take their team home to 264 for two in just 35 overs.

At Wilson Road Recreation Ground in Penal, Clarke Road batted first against Alescon Comets and were bowled out for 234 in 43 overs. Yannick Ottley top-scored with 79 off 96 with six fours, while Kyle Hope added 44 from 35. Gregory Mahabir (26) and Odean Smith (20) also helped move the score along, but Roshon Primus (five for 62) and Rayad Emrit (three for 26) proved difficult to face. Comets, however, capitulated for 156 in 34.2 overs, losing via Duckworth-Lewis by 76 runs. Only Primus (46), Vikash Mohan (37 from 33 with five fours) and Daniel Williams (22) made any note. Ottley starred with the ball as well, snaring three for 11 while Smith and Justin Gangoo grabbed a pair each. Their next opponents will be decided this Thursday in a day-night quarter-final affair as BFL Sports and Preysal clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

SUMMARISED SCORES:

Prisons 57 (Ravi Khan 11, Jerve Cummings 11; Javon Searles 8/23, Anderson Phillip 2/26) vs QPCC 58/1 (Jeremy Solozano 28 not out, Justin Guillen 20). QPCC won by nine wickets.

Merry Boys 260 (Rishaad Harris 59, Amir Jangoo 48, Hakeem Mitchell 40; Kristopher Ramsaran 4/62, Vishan Jagessar 2/20, Ricky Jaipaul 2/55) vs Central Sports 264/2 (Kamil Pooran 98, Keddy Lesporis 90 not out, Kjorn Ottley 37; Uthman Muhammed 2/76). Central Sports won by eight wickets.

FC Clarke Road 234 (Yannick Ottley 79, Kyle Hope 44; Roshon Primus 5/62, Rayad Emrit 3/26) vs Comets 156 (Primus 46, Vikash Mohan 37, Ottley 3/11, Odean Smith 2/31, Justyn Gangoo 2/32). Clarke Road won by 76 runs via D/L method.

FINAL QUARTER-FINAL MATCH:

Thursday (2 pm): BFL Sports vs Preysal, Brian Lara Cricket Academy.