Mohammed delivers with bat and ball to keep 'Pres' unbeaten in SSCL

PRESENTATION College San Fernando’s Khaleem Mohammed celebrated his 19th birthday with a man-of-the-match performance against Fatima College when round five of the Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) Premiership continued at the Union Hall Recreation Ground on Tuesday.

After opening batsman Mohammed and Ricardo Chase scored 38 runs each to lead ‘Pres’ to 231/9, the off-spinner also proved his worth with the ball with a stellar capture of 5/12 from ten overs (four maidens), to dismiss Fatima for 168, and seal a comfortable 64-run victory.

The result for Presentation extended their unbeaten streak to five wins in as many matches and saw them bring to an end Fatima’s flawless run. They now sit atop the SSCL standings with three rounds to go.

Mohammed, an upper-six student, was elated about his all-around performance.

“Thanks to the Almighty, friends and family, who came to support me on my birthday. I just want to leave my school on a high and help them win the premiership in the process,” he said after the team meeting.

Batting first, Presentation had a good start from Mohammed and Riyaad Mohammed, as they piled 52 runs on the board before the former was out caught. One run later, Riyaad (13) was dismissed in a similar fashion.

Brendan Boodoo (eight) was next to go and ‘Pres’ seemed to be in a spot of bother when Aadi Ramsaran (15) perished to take them to 100/4 after 21.2 overs.

But Chase’s introduction partnered with Aadian Racha (36) and Alan Roy (22) rescued Pres in the middle and carried them to 231/9 after 50 overs.

In response, the visitors had a strong start with top-order batsmen Joshua Davis (71), Aditya Ramdeen (25) and Varisht Ramdeen (14) championing the chase.

Mohammed however, had other birthday plans and removed Aditya and Davis to stop Fatima’s progress.

From there, Fatima never regained their footing and wickets began to tumble in quick succession as Pres’ Mohammed and Boodoo (2/27) were the main destroyers with the ball. Cristiano Phillip had a cameo 16 in the lower order but it was too little too late, as Presentation asserted dominance to snag the win.

The victory, a smiling coach Rydell Ramsaran said, was a deserving one.

“We knew this was an important game to set us up to win this tournament. We still have ‘Naps’ to play next week.

“We want to keep humble but it was a tremendous victory. It was crucial for us to keep our clean sheet. We’ve secured ourselves atop the standings but we must continue playing good cricket.”

In other matches on Tuesday, Naparima College’s Fareez Ali smashed 101 to lead them to a 102-run triumph over St Benedict’s College.

‘Naps’ made 248/9 in their 50 overs, led by Ali’s knock, with Shiva Harripersad (3/51), Luke Harding (2/26) and Chris Sadanan (2/44) all among the wickets for the La Romaine Lions.

In their turn at the crease, St Benedict’s were whittled away for 146 in 43 overs courtesy of a good spell from Liam Mamchan (3/29). Josh Telemaque (26) and Daryl Lalchan (19) top-scored for St Benedict’s.

Other Results

PRESENTATION CHAGUANAS 273/6 – Luke Ali 100, Ramone Sawh 45, Brandon Phillip 41 n.o, Rajesh Maharaj 25, Kevan Maharaj 21 VS CIC 88/8 - Jaden O’Brian 29, Brandon Deonarine 3/6, Thomas Walsh 3/12 - Pres won by 185 runs

SHIVA BOYS 122 (44) vs HILLVIEW COLLEGE 123/1 (20) – Hillview won by nine wickets