Skippers Rajeev Ramnath and Chadeon Raymond from Central and South West Flamingos and North and Tobago Masqueraders, respectively, will be looking forward to their head-to-head battle for the title in the final of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Under-23 Cup at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba, Saturday.
Before Wednesday’s final round of the tournament, all teams had a chance to qualify for the final, but at the end of the day’s play, there were only two lucky teams.
At the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, the North and Tobago Masqueraders faced the East and North East Scarlet Ibis, where the Masqueraders won by 34 runs and advanced to the final.
"Player of the Match" Mikkel Govia, Masqueraders' all-rounder, scored 72 runs from 59 deliveries, smashing eight fours and four sixes. He also ended with bowling figures of one for 43 in nine overs. Meanwhile, captain Raymond added 29 runs and picked up one wicket for 38 runs in eight overs.
The Masqueraders were able to play two out of three of their matches, which is more time on the field in comparison to the other teams.
Over at the Inshan Ali Park, Preysal, also Couva the Central and Southwest Flamingos won their first completed match for the tournament by 80 runs against the South and South West Flamingos. Narad Kissoondath's superb performance with the bat carried him to a first-time century for the tournament.
Bissoondath knocked 108 from 120 deliveries, hitting seven fours and three sixes. Leading the bowling for the Hummingbirds were Liam Mamchan (2/43) and Vanir Maharaj (2/62).
In reply, Hummingbirds were bowled out for 198 with Mbeki Joseph topscoring with a half-century (59) while Aaron Nanan added 32.
Bowler Sameer Ali also shined for Flamingos as he collected six wickets for 33 runs in 9.4 overs.
All previous matches for the Flamingos were washed out.
The final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy will be a day/night match, bowling off at 2 pm.
SCORES
Central and South West Flamingos 278 for five (Narad Kissoondath 108, Aaron Bankay 79, Liam Mamchan 2/43, Vanir Maharaj 2/62) vs South and South East Hummingbirds 198 all out (Mbeki Joseph 59, Aaron Nanan 32, Avinash Mahabirsingh 28, Kyle Roopchand 27, Nicholas Ali 26, Sameer Ali 6/33). Flamingos won by 80 runs.
North and Tobago Masqueraders 232 for nine (Mikkel Govia 74, Chadeon Raymond 29, Zachary Siewah 26, Sion Hackett 3/29, Anderson Mahase 3/33) vs East and North East Scarlet Ibis 195 all out (Leonardo Julien 62, Leonardo Francis 36, S Hackett 27, Vasant Singh 20, Leon Basanoo 2/5, Z Siwah 2/32, Shiva McCoon 2/42).Masqueraders won by 34 runs.
Saturday's final
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy,
Central and South West Flamingos vs North and Tobago Masqueraders, 2 pm.