SSCL Star of the Week – Aaron Basant spins match in favour of Vishnu Boys

NEWSDAY continues to focus on the future of cricket in TT. Every week, a player in the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) premiership 50-over competition will be profiled as the SSCL Star of the Week.

In round six on Tuesday, Vishnu Boys Hindu College Lower six student Aaron Basant just needed a little more than ten overs to swing the match in his team's favour against Naparima College.

Chasing 177 for victory, Naparima were 80 without loss after 25 overs and seemed set to chase the target. Basant then took over. He first ran out a batsman, then the off spinner grabbed four of the next five wickets as Naparima slumped to 101/6 in the 37th over.

Vishnu Boys eventually won by 24 runs as Naparima were limited to 152/9 in 50 overs. Basant, who said West Indies legend Brian Lara is his favourite cricketer, ended with bowling figures of 4/22 in ten overs to keep Vishnu Boys in the title race. Vishnu are in second place with three rounds remaining.

Basant has also been pitching in with valuable runs this season.

The Cunupia resident, who has been snatching wickets regularly for Munroe Road Cricket Club in the premiership south II division, spoke to Newsday about his performance for Vishnu Boys and his goals in cricket.

Name: Aaron Basant

Form: Lower six

Age: 17

Bowling Style: Right-arm off spin

Batting Style: Left-handed batsman

Residence: Cunupia

Favourite Cricketer: Brian Lara

Star Performance: 4/22 in ten overs and a run out

With Naparima 80 without loss, what were you thinking. Did you think the game was lost?

I have to be honest. Yes, the thought did cross my mind but I still had faith. Anything could happen with the fall of a wicket.

How much confidence did your run out of Jonathan Ramnarace give Vishnu Boys?

I immediately saw the difference. We started to play harder. The game was open.

What has led to your success this season?

Hard work and determination. I trained hard, practiced my bowling and batting for my club and in school training, as well as on my own.

What areas Vishnu Boys must improve on for the last three games to stay in the title race?

The areas we must improve on are our catching and fielding. It isn’t bad, but we still need improvement because we can’t afford to have misfields to give away extra runs. Our batsmen can also improve by building big innings. We have a lot of talent in our team.

I heard you play for Munroe Road Cricket Club. How has that experience helped you this season?

The experience helped by showing me how much harder cricket is in the premiership division II at the club level. You have to perform at your best if you want to win. I took that mentality to school cricket so I can perform at my best, but I can still do better to help my team out.

What are your goals for the next few years in cricket?

I have a major dream of earning a spot in the West Indies Under-19 team and making a name for myself from there. I know that I must remain humble and go through the steps...but I am prepared to work very hard to accomplish my goals.