An amazing batting feat was achieved last weekend, as Tobago batsman Iraq Thomas slammed a century of just 21 balls in the Tobago Cricket Association 's (TCA) T20 tournament at Louis D'or.
The 23-year old Thomas turned out on Sunday to play two matches for his club Scarborough/Mason Hall in the top flight of the TCA competition. In the first match he slammed 97 of 53 balls against Charlotteville but the action was really in the second encounter of the afternoon, when he slammed what is surely a record in domestic cricket.
Batting first Speyside made 151/7 of 20 overs. This looked a good score until Thomas and F Tyson took to the crease to chase the target. After eight overs, the fans were leaving the venue, as the match was over.
In an amazing display of powerhitting, Thomas reached his century of just 21 balls and ended with an unbeaten 131 of 31 balls with 15 sixes and five fours.
"Speaking about the feat, the former T&T U-13 player said: "I was just very happy to reach my first T20 century. I have played cricket for a while and to get this century in the shortest format left me very happy. I played for Queen's Park in Trinidad, so coming into this tournament I had some good experience having played at that level in Trinidad."
Thomas said the ground was not the biggest and this gave him the confidence to go after the bowlers. "You can even chase down 180 on this ground because it is not the biggest and it gave me real confidence to go after the bowlers. I never thought I would get the runs as quickly as I did but after hitting a few, I realised that something special can happen out there and it came through."
Thomas played for T&T U-13 and also attended trials for the national U-19 team as well. He also went to England to play in the Leagues courtesy a scholarship from Atlantic LNG and this experience according to him was a major boost to his cricket.
Simmons records ton against QPCC 2
National youth player Keagan Simmons was in sparking form on the weekend hitting an unbeaten century,as his team Cane Farm drew their TTCB Championship match against QPCC 2, at the Savannah.
Batting first, QPCC 2 got runs from former West Indies U-19 player Jonathan Augustus 77 and current West Indies Under-19 player Kirstan Kallicharan. They totalled 356 with Augustus hitting 77 and Kallicharan 56. Cane Farm responded with 293 all out as Keagan's cousin Kerron Simmons slapped 56 and Brandon Ramdial 68. Batting a second time Queen's Park declared at 249/4 - setting Cane Farm 312 runs for victory. Keagan then took charge and scored a solid unbeaten 102, as Cane Farm saved the game at 179 for four.
Regal performance by Browne for Evergreen
Regal Browne scored his maiden century for Rahamut's Evergreen to put the club in a commanding position against Cedros Progressive Sports Club at the end of the opening day in the fifth round of the T&T South Championship Three-Day League at the Evergreen Grounds in San Francique, on Sunday.
Browne scored 132 to guide Evergreen to 388 all out batting first. He was ably supported by Mark Johnson's unbeaten 70 and Ato Rockcliffe's 63. Earlier after being sent in to bat by Cedros, Evergreen got a strong start from the opening pair of Rockcliffe and Sachin Ramkhelawan. At the end of play, Cedros closed on 17 without loss.
Evergreen, which led the standings by five points at the start of the round, is captained by Travis Blyden. The match is scheduled to continue on Sunday.
SSCL Intercol finals May 6
The finals of the Secondary Schools Intercol tournament will take place on Friday, May 6 at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva.
President of the SSCL, Surudath Mahabir said that both the Girls and Boys finals will take place on the same day and on Tuesday of next week, the captains from the various schools will square up at the official press briefing for the finals at the Marriot Hotel, Port of Spain.
The teams to contest the finals are yet to be determined, as they Intercol has now reached the semi-final stages. On Thursday Naparima College will battle Carapichaima East at the NCC, while Barrackpore West will play Presentation Chaguanas on Friday at the NCC from 6 pm.