TT beat USA
November 18th 2008

Ganga, Barath hit half-centuries as T&T beats US

Trinidad and Tobago underlined its superiority over the United States by cruising to a comfortable six-wicket victory in their fourth round WICB Cup one-day match at the Enmore Community Centre on the East Coast in Demerara.

Two impressive half-centuries from skipper Daren Ganga and 18-year-old Adrian Barath led the victory march for the well-oiled T&T team.

Chasing a competitive 187 for victory from the allocation of 50 overs, T&T coasted to their target off 38 overs for the lost of four wickets with Ganga hitting 79 and Barath stroking 66.

Ganga, a former Test batsman and Barath, a West Indies Under-19 representative, batted carefully to secure the win and collect a bonus point which carried their points tally to 12, while USA remain in the doldrums on one point.

The US were indebted to former Jamaica first-class player Carl Wright who fashioned an attractive 90, but their eventual total was insufficient as medium pacer Richard Kelly snared three for 34 from his allotted ten overs to destroy the innings.

T&T began their chase in an uncertain manner when out-of-favour West Indies one-day batsman Lendl Simmons went for 11, nipping a catch to wicketkeeper Akeem Dodson off medium pacer Robert Cresser.

However, the compact right-handed Barath and the solid Ganga quickly stabilized things for their team featuring in a significant 139-run, second-wicket stand which drained the enthusiasm from the Americans.

Barath began his innings meticulously but brought up his fifty off 66 deliveries with several impressive shots, while Ganga’s half-century materialized from 56 balls.

Barath was eventually out when he was caught by Imran Awan at wide mid-on as he looked to pull occasional leg-spinner Aditya Thagaranja, ending his 82-ball occupation of the crease which was laced with four fours and a six.

Darren Bravo joined Ganga, but never suggested permanence and was caught in the deep off Thagaranja for four. Ganga followed soon afterward in identical fashion, trying to hit out against the persistent Thagaranja after facing 89 balls and stroking five fours, as T&T lost three wickets for 24 runs.

Thagaranja finished with three for 30 from seven overs to be the most successful bowler for the USA combination.

Earlier, T&T won the toss and invited the Americans to take first strike on a perfect batting pitch and they quickly wobbled to 33 for two in the eighth over.

Man-of-the-Match Wright, a neat left-hander, batted with determination and deep concentration to ensure his side reached a respectable total.

His innings spanned 121 balls and contained six fours and three effortless sixes but he was eventually bowled by leg-spinner Samuel Badree.

Dodson was the only other batsman to shine for the tourists, scoring an unbeaten 31 as Badree (2-23) and fast bowler Rayad Emrit (2-40) gave Kelly valuable support.