Carib 2020 Finals Scores - May 16th 2008

Hurley’s wish comes true

MY WISH has come true.

These were the words of former Barbados and West Indies allrounder Ryan Hurley after he guided defending champions Clico Preysal Sports to an historic six-wicket-win against Queen’s Park Cricket Club in the final of the Carib Twenty/20 Series on Friday night at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre. The right-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner fulfilled the wishes of his many fans in his adopted hometown of Preysal, to turn back the challenge of the Justin Guillen led -Queen’s Park team.

Hurley had the amazing figures of three for 14 as the ‘Parkites’ were restricted to 128 for six from the allotted 20 overs.

He then struck a blistering 30 runs of 13 balls which included three fours and two sixes to lay the foundation for his team’s victory chase, which they achieved for the loss of four wickets with nine balls in the contest remaining.

Hurley was particularly severe on former Barbados off-spinner Ryan Austin taking 21 runs in the second over of the innings.

For his tremendous effort, Hurley who has been the resident professional for Preysal Sports for the past six year, copped the ‘Man of the Match’ award, in addition of taking the prize for the ‘Best Bowler’.

“ It was my dream to do the best for my team and put a piece of silverware on the shelf. My elderly fans were telling me, that I must do something to make them happy, after the disappointing showing by the team in the WIPA’s Twenty/20 Club Championship. I think I achieved that goal,” said an emotional Hurley.

Earlier, Preysal won the toss and inserted the opposition. Play started at 7.45 pm, after constant rain had threatened to disrupt proceedings.

The ‘Parkites’ were off to a poor start, losing the wicket of Guillen (0) caught a mid-on by Kjorn Ottley off Shannon Gabriel with the third ball of the first over, with only two runs on the board.

Opening batsman and pinch-hitter Rishaad Harris (34) and West Indies youth batsman Darren Bravo (12) tried to repair the early damage with an enterprising 45-run partnership in 38 minutes off 47 balls.

But once they were separated and with the introduction of Hurley, the runs dried up and everything went haywire for the ‘Parkites’ team.

The only bright spot in the ‘Parkites’ middle-order was the batting of former T&T youth allrounder Kervon Cooper who hit a whirlwing 31 off 18 deliveries with four fours.

In pursuit of their victory target, Preysal loss the wicket of Andy Jackson (2) with the total on 38. Skipper Shazan Babwah joined Hurley and saw the back of the Hurley and Ottley (1) with the score on 43 and 45 respectively, but found a useful partner in former Guyana middle-order batsman Azeemul Haniff and added an important 51 for the fourth wicket before he was dismissed with the score on 96 for a well played 31 in 57 minutes off 36 balls, which included four fours.

The left-handed Haniff then secured victory with a spanking cover-drive off left-arm spinner Darren Deonarine with the third ball in the penultimate over of the match.

Haniff unbeaten 38 was scored in 68 minutes off 46 deliveries and was enriched with three fours and a six, which was good enough to earn him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

It was a hattrick of wins for the well-disciplined Preysal team since the inception of the tournament three-years-ago.

Both Preysal and Queen’s Park had played unbeaten leading up to the final, which was played before a handful of spectators, most of whom stayed away because of the inclement weather.

An elated Babwah was proud of his team’s achievement, although he said that it was not one of their best performance.

“It was not an outstanding display by the team, but with the experience of Hurley, Haniff and myself we were able to pull it through. It is a good feeling to be the champions for three straight years,” Babwah said.

Skipper Guillen could not hide his disappointment and said that it was a below par performance.

“We did not play as well as we could. We scored 20 to 30 runs less. However, it is always an honour to reach this far,” said Guillen.

Chairman of the National Cricket League, Colin Borde praised the sponsors and the organising committee for a job well done in this year’s history making series.

“We had a wonderful season with 95 matches being played and for the first time we had 24 Super League clubs taking part in the competition with the traditional 16 National League teams. We are spreading the cricket to all areas of Trinidad and Tobago,” said Borde.

Preysal collected a handsome first prize cheque of $45,00 while the ‘Parkites’ took home $28,000.

Honour Roll

Best Batsman - Azeemul Haniff (Preysal ) -$500
Best Bowler - Ryan Hurley (Preysal)-$500
Best Fieldsman - Shervon Penco (QPCC) - $500
Man of Match - Ryan Hurley
Runner-up - Queen’s Park - $28,000
Winner - Clico Preysal Sports - $45,000.

SCOREBOARD

At Guaracara Park
Preysal v Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park Inns
J Guillen c Ottley b Gabriel*0
R Harris c wkpr Alfred b Babwah*34
D Bravo c wkpr Alfred b Hurley*12
R Paty c Jackson b Babwah*19
K Cooper c Gabriel b Hurley*31
S Narine not out*9
P Nicholas c Haniff b Hurley*8
S Penco not out*0
Extras (5lb, 8w, 2nb)*15
TOTAL (for 6 wkts — 20 overs)*128
Wkts: 2, 47, 68, 109, 113, 125.
Bowling: S Gabriel 4-0-21-1 (2w, 2nb), V Maharaj 3-0-18-0 (5w), A Bryce 4-0-23-0, R Hurley 4-1-14-3 (1nb), S Babwah 4-0-36-2, Yannick Cariah 1-0-11-0.
Preysal Inns
R Hurley b Narine*30
A Jackson stp Balgobin b Narine*2
S Babwah c (sub) Dookran b Cooper*31
K Ottley run out (Bravo)*1
A Haniff not out*38
A Ragoonath not out*7
Extras (3lb, 17w, 3nb)*23
TOTAL (for 6 wkts - 18.3 overs)*
Wkts: 38, 43, 45, 96.
Bowling: R Paty 4-0-20-0, R Austin 1-0-21-0 (1w, 1nb), S Narine 3-0-23-2 (8w), D Deonarine 3.3-0-25-0 (1w, 1nb), K Cooper 4-0-18-1 (2w), R Harris 3-0-22-0 (5w, 1nb).
Match result: Preysal won by 6 wkts.