Dwayne Bravo played the innings of his life last night, striking 55 runs off 20 balls but even this could not help T&T, as they went under to Guyana by four runs in the first of semifinals of the regional T20 cricket series at the Queen's Park Oval. Scores: Guyana 175/7 (19) vs T&T 171 all out (18.5). The old saying of 'catches win matches' came back to haunt T&T, as they dropped five catches in Guyana's impressive innings off 175 for seven. Then, their top order failed to fire, as the Guyana's slow bowlers proved too much. With 72 runs needed from five overs, the game looked well and truly lost for T&T. Pollard was back in the 'dug out' for 15 and Adrian Barath who batted beautifully in scoring 55 off 44 balls had already gone.
However, Dwayne Bravo brought the 14,000 fans to life as he took 27 runs from Chris Barnwell in one over. Soon it was down to 30 needed from two overs and Bravo took 16 runs but fell in the last ball of the penultimate over. He ended on 55 off 20 balls with one four and six massive sixes. With 14 needed off the final over, Denesh Ramdin started with a four and things were looking good for T&T, however, two further wickets fell and skipper Daren Ganga and his brother Sherwin were left to get five runs from the final two balls. However, Royston Crandon trapped Ganga, the T&T skipper leg before to leave Guyana victors by four runs.
Earlier, a pathetic display by T&T in the field allowed Guyana to tally a handsome 175 for seven off their 19 overs. Openers Travis Dowlin and Siewnarine Chattergoon came out like men possessed and sent that white ball flying to all parts of the ground. The left handed Chattergoon was severe on anything outside off stump and slammed two sixes and four fours off in his 36 that came off just 24 deliveries. Dowlin ended with 59 off 39 balls with two fours and four hits over the ropes. Esaun Crandon also chipped in with a 30-ball 30 that included one six and two fours. And towards the end Chris Barnwell and Jonathon Foo both played little cameos in scoring 14 each. The situation could have been worse for T&T but Pollard bowled well towards the end and finished with four for 31. T&T will now battle for third place today in the first match at 4 pm.
