TTCB – News

Simmons blasts Guyana in T20
January 21, 2010

OPENING batsman Lendl Simmons (pictured at right) smashed a whirlwind half-century to guide Trinidad and Tobago to a commanding total of 164 for five against Guyana in the Twenty20 Charity match for Haiti yesterday at the Queen’s Pak Oval in Port-of-Spain.

The match was organised by the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to assist the Haiti aid relief effort after the island was rocked by a massive earthquake nine days ago which has left the Caribbean country in shambles.

Simmons batted admirably for the Haitian effort bludgeoning the Guyanese bowling to all part of the Queen’s Park Oval in his knock of 83 which came off 59 balls and featured five boundaries and six towering sixes.

The right-handed batsman started slowly at the crease playing cautiously against pacer Esuan Crandon who was getting the pink ball to swing into him.

Aggressive opening batsman William Perkins early on overshadowed Simmons giving the national team a blistering start by targeting pacer Trevor Benn.

The W Connection Wanderers batsman smashed four boundaries as Benn conceded 20 runs in his first over of the match. Perkins cut a short delivery for his first boundary before following up with his trademark scoop shot before and concluded with two drives for fours.

With the score on 33 Perkins was trapped leg before wicket by Crandon (E) for 26. Simmons then announced his presence stroking off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine for an exquisite boundary through the covers of his back foot.

The former West Indies Under-19 batsman then took control of the match with a sensational display of power hitting. Simmons was aggressive towards the Guyanese spinners using his feet to telling effect. He swept leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo for a massive six over mid-wicket and did the same to off-spinner Narginsh Deonarine before following an on-drive for six.

The Ceramic Merry Boys batsman raced to his half century from 44 balls stroking three boundaries and three sixes. Simmons then destroyed Royston Crandon hitting him for two sixes and a boundary before being by Crandon (R).

There were also cameos by Denesh Ramdin who scored 14 and skipper Daren Ganga chipping in with 12. Crandon (E) was the pick of the bowlers finishing with two for 21 from four overs.

Trinidad and Tobago: Daren Ganga (Captain), Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Jason Mohammed, Imran Khan, Denesh Ramdin, Samuel Badree, Sherwin Ganga, Dave Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul, Navin Stewart, Daron Cruickshank, Rayad Emrit, Richard Kelly, Colin Borde (Manager), Kelvin Williams (Coach) and Ronald Rogers (Physio).

Guyana: Sewnarine Chattergoon (Captain), Travis Dowlin, Assad Fudadin, Rajindra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Vishaul Singh, Esuan Crandon, Veersammy Permaul, Derwin Christian, Devendra Bishoo, Brendon Bess, Trevor Benn, Carl Moore (Manager) and Ravindra Seeram (Coach)