PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ MEMORIAL CRICKET CUP CLASSIC
January 2nd 2009

Khan hits 96 in vain ....
North retains Classic Cup

Defending champions North retained the Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Classic Cricket Cup, when they were held to a draw on the final day of the four-day contest, Wednesday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Set 261 runs for victory off a minimum of 77 overs by the North team, South reached 194 for five when the match was called off with 6.5 overs remaining.

Leading the fight for the South team was impressive opening batsman Imran Khan who scored a resolute 96.

Khan was the fifth to be dismissed, caught at short-leg by North’s skipper Rayad Emrit off Navin Stewart’s bowling.

He batted for 314 minutes, faced 217 balls and struck five fours. Khan caught the eyes of the many spectators with an outstanding allround performance but failed in his effort to catch the eyes of the selectors. Despite having a match-haul of three wickets for 10 runs and scoring a tally of 103 runs in the 12th edition of the Classic, Khan’s tremendous showing was not enough to impress the national selectors, headed by former national batsman Narine Bidhesi, for the opening match in the Regional Four-Day tournament next week against Barbados in Bridgetown.

Former national players Alec Burns and Claude Phillip were also part of the panel.

Khan who made his senior team in 2006 and has played seven matches in the regional tournament since, said that although he is disappointed at not being selected on the squad he will continue to remain focused in a bid to cement a place on the T&T team for the remainder of the regional tournament.

“ I am happy with my performance in the Classic. I played my heart out for my team. I will continue to train hard. I am well focused on the task ahead. Earlier, North resumed on 84 for seven and were dismissed for 125.

Discarded West Indies leg-spinner Dave Mohammed was the leading bowler with four for 45 and was well supported by Khan who bagged two for seven from eight overs with his leg-spinners.

In pursuit of their target, South lost Adrian Barath (9) with the score on 20 and went to lunch on 34 for one, with Khan on 14 and skipper Daren Ganga three.

After the break, South lost two further wickets in Daren Ganga (17) and Jason Mohammed (3) and went to the tea interval on 99 for three. On the resumption, Khan added 47 with Sherwin Ganga (31) for the fourth wicket and 62 with Gibran Mohammed (23 not out) to guide his team to safety.

Off-spinner Sunil Narine was leading bowler with two for 53.

North’s impressive batsman Darren Bravo was named ‘Man of the Match’ by former International umpire Clyde Cumberbatch.

Honour Roll

Best Batsman - Darren Bravo. Best Bowler - Rayad Emrit. Best Fieldsman - Kervon Cooper. Century - Darren Bravo. MVP (North) - Darren Bravo MVP (South) - Imran Khan. Man of Match - Darren Bravo.

SCOREBOARD

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ CLASSIC
North v South

North 1st Inns 289
South 1st Inns 154
North 2nd Inns (o/n 84-7)
J Guillen lbw Jaggernauth*17
M Belcon c Khan b S Ganga*2
L Simmons c Barath b D Mohammed*14
D Bravo c S Ganga b D Mohammed*7
K Cooper lbw b Khan*13
R Emrit stp wkpr G Mohammed b D Mohammed*22
R Kelly c Barath b Khan*0
A Balgobin c Barath b D Mohammed*7
Y Cariah not out*15
S Narine c S Ganga b Alert*22
N Stewart c (substitute Modeste)*0
Extras (2b, 3lb, 1w)*6
TOTAL (all out — 70.3 overs)*125
Wkts: 3, 34, 42, 44, 72, 72, 82, 95, 125, 125.
Bowling: A Alert 5.3 -0-16-2 (1w), S Ganga 4-1-4-1, A Jaggernauth 27-7-39-1, S Gabriel 4-0-9-0, D Mohammed 22-9-45-4, I Khan 8-3-7-2.
South 2nd Inns
A Barath b Kelly*9
I Khan c Emrit b Stewart*96
D Ganga c wkpr Balgobin b Narine*17
J Mohammed c Guillen b Cariah*3
S Ganga c Simmons b Narine*31
G Mohammed not out*23
Extras (5b, 2lb, 2w, 6nb)*15
TOTAL (for 5 wkts — 70.1 overs)*194
Bowling: N Stewart 8.1-2-13-1 (1nb), R Kelly 10-0-50-1 (2w, 2nb), R Emrit 12-4-19-0, K Cooper 9-2-21-0, L Simmons 4-1-12-0, Y Cariah 9-4-19-1 (1nb), S Narine 18-2-53-2 (2nb).
Result: Match drawn.
Man of the Match : Darren Bravo.
Umpires: Khemraj Barrasingha & Joel Wilson.
Stand-by: Perry Galindo.
Match Referee: Clyde Cumberbatch.
Statistician: Rohit Balkissoon.

North, South in piping hot cliff hanger at QP Oval
December 31st 2008

The 12th edition of the annual Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Memorial North/South Cricket Cup Classic is heading for a blanket finish with the odds seemingly favouring the Southerners.

At the end of an extended and enthralling third’s play on Tuesday at the Queen’s Park Oval, defending champions North, with an important first inning lead of 135 runs were tottering on 84 for seven in their second turn at the crease, an overall lead 219 with three wickets remaining.

Wicketkeeper Anthony Balgobin is not out on three and Yannic Carriah one.

SCORES: North 289 & 84-7: South 154.

Led by inspirational captain Daren Ganga, South who is chasing their third title since the inception of the Classic in 1997, clawed their way back into contention through the efforts of a four-pronged spin attack led by West Indies out-of-favour bowlers Dave Mohammed and Amit Jaggernauth. Mohammed (D) is the leading bowler for South with three for 23 from 17 overs.

Jaggernauth who was the top wickettaker in North’s first innings chipped in with one for 24 off 19 overs.

Lending good support to his more established colleagues was former T&T U-19 batsman and leg-spinner Imran Khan who bowled superbly to grab two for seven from eight overs.

Skipper Rayad Emrit who made 22 is the leading scorer for North thus far. Emrit was the seventh, wicket to fall when he was brilliantly stumped by in-form wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed off Mohammed’s (D) bowling.

Earlier, South resumed on the overnight position of 72 for three in their first innings and crashed to 154 all out just after the lunch interval.

Injured fast bowler Ravi Rampaul who was ruled out of action for the next six weeks did not bat for South.

Doing the damage for North was medium-pacer Emrit who bagged five for 35 from 17 overs.

It was the 15th five-wicket-haul in the Classic and Emrit’s first.

North’s debutant right-arm leg-spinner Carriah picked up two for 21.

In South paltry first innings, the Ganga brothers were leading scorers. Ganga (D) topscored with a polished 42 compiled in 133 minute from 99 balls and which contained four fours, while younger brother Sherwin was unbeaten on 39 made in 228 minutes, from 136 balls with one six.

Final day’s play starts at 9.30 am.

SCOREBOARD

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ CLASSIC
North v South

North 1st Inns 289
South 1st Inns (o/n 72-3)
A Barath c Cooper b Stewart*16
I Khan c Bravo b Kelly*7
D Ganga c & b Emrit*42
J Mohammed c Guillen b Emrit*21
S Ganga not out*39
G Mohammed lbw Emrit*12
D Mohammed b Emrit*2
A Jaggernauth b Emrit*0
A Alert lbw Carriah*3
S Gabriel b Carriah*0
R Rampaul injured out*0
Extras (2b, 2lb, 8nb)*12
TOTAL (all out — 73.5 overs)*154
Wkts: 21, 27, 72, 96, 134, 140, 140, 154, 154, 154.
Bowling: R Kelly 10-3-16-1, N Stewart 8-1-22-1 (1nb), R Emrit 17-5-34-5 (1nb), K Cooper 18-4-25-0 (2nb), S Narine 15-4-32-0 (4nb), Y Cariah 7.5-2-21-2.
North 2nd Inns
J Guillen lbw Jaggernauth*17
M Belcon c Khan b S Ganga*2
L Simmons c Barath b D Mohammed*14
D Bravo c S Ganga b D Mohammed*7
K Cooper lbw b Khan*13
R Emrit stp wkpr G Mohammed b D Mohammed*22
R Kelly c Barath b Khan*0
A Balgobin not out*3
Y Carriah not out*1
Extras (2b, 2lb, 1w )*5
TOTAL (for 7 wkts — 55 overs)*84
Wkts: 3, 34, 42, 44, 72, 72, 82.
Bowling: A Alert 3-0-13-0 (1w), S Ganga 4-1-4-1, A Jaggernauth 19-6-24-1, S Gabriel 4-0-9-0, D Mohammed 17-8-23-3, I Khan 8-3-7-2.
Umpires: Khemraj Barrasingha & Joel Wilson.
Stand-by: Perry Galindo.
Match Referee: Clyde Cumberbatch.
Statistician: Rohit Balkissoon.

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ MEMORIAL CRICKET CUP CLASSIC

North holds slim advantage

Defending champions North, held a slim advantage against South at the end of a rain-ruined second day’s play of the 12th edition of the Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Memorial Cricket Cup at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

The Daren Ganga-led South team responding to North’s competitive first innings total of 289 on Monday, closed in the awkward position on 72 for three, with Ganga (D) on 22 not out.

There was one wicket apiece for Rayad Emrit (1-8), Richard Kelly (1-12) and Navin Stewart (1-17).

Play was interrupted twice for rain at 10.41 am and at 3pm, when Umpires Khemraj Barrasingha and Joel Wilson decided to call off play for the remainder of the day.

Play will starton Tuesday at 9.30 am weather permitting.

Earlier, North resumed on their bedtime position of 273 for six and crashed to 289 all out.

Kelly who was unbeaten on 27 overnight, was left stranded on 37 which included four fours and one six.

Out-of-favour West Indies off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth was the top bowler for South with figures of four for 100 from a marathon 34.3 overs.

Pacer Atiba Alert (2-37) and left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed (2-47) chipped in a two wickets each.

Promising wicketkeeper/batsman Gibran Mohammed also had a good day behind the wicket, taking four catches.

South started their reply with openers Adrian Barath and Imran Khan after the lunch break.

But after they added 21 for the first wicket partnership, Khan (7) fell to Kelly caught by first innings century maker Darren Bravo at first slip.

Eight runs later, Barath (16) succumbed to a brilliant catch by Kervon Cooper at point off fast bowler Navin Stewart, to leave South in a spot of bother on 27 for two.

Jason Mohammed (21) joined captain Ganga (D) and the duo added an important 45 for the third wicket before the former was dismissed on the stroke of tea caught by Justin Guillen at short square-leg off Emrit’s bowling.

Meanwhile, Bravo (Darren) was elated to score his second Classic century and is hoping to continue in that same vein for the regional four-day competition.

“Basically, it was my first competitive game since the West Indies Cup tournament in Guyana, because most of the local trial matches were rained out.

I am happy with my form. I want to remain focused and help my country win the regional tournament and also to keep my name on the lips of the regional selectors,” Bravo said.

SCOREBOARD

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ CLASSIC
North v South

North 1st Inns (o/n 273-6)
J Guillen stp G Mohammed b Jaggernauth*26
M Belcon run out (Dave Mohammed)*27
L Simmons c Jaggernauth b D Mohammed*24
D Bravo b Khan*113
K Cooper c D Ganga b D Mohammed*13
R Emrit c & b Alert*28
R Kelly not out*27
A Balgobin c wkpr G Mohammed b Jaggernauth*0
S Narine c wkpr G Mohammed b Jaggernauth*6
Y Cariah c wkpr G Mohammed b Alert*0
N Stewart b Jaggernauth*0
Extras (7b, 3lb, 5nb)*15
TOTAL (all out — 105.3 overs)*289
Wkts: 53, 64, 117, 146, 213, 269, 273, 287, 288, 289.
Bowling: R Rampaul 12-2-32-0 (3nb), S Gabriel 11-2-35-0 (2nb), S Ganga 10-2-26-0, A Jaggernauth 34.3-4-100-4, A Alert 14-1-47-2, D Mohammed 21-4-47-2, I Khan 3-1-2-1.
South 1st Inns
A Barath c Cooper b Stewart*16
I Khan c Bravo b Kelly*7
D Ganga not out*22
J Mohammed c Guillen b Emrit*21
Extras (1b, 1lb, 4nb)*6
TOTAL (for 3 wkts - 29 overs)*72
Wkts: 21, 27, 72.
Bowling: R Kelly 7-2-12-1, N Stewart 6-1-17-1 (1nb), R Emrit 3-0-8-1, K Cooper 6-0-12-0 (1nb), S Narine 7-1-21-0 (2nb). 
Umpires: Khemraj Barrasingha & Joel Wilson.
Stand-by: Perry Galindo.
Match Referee: Clyde Cumberbatch.
Statistician: Rohit Balkissoon.

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ MEMORIAL CRICKET CUP CLASSIC
December 29th 2008

Brilliant Bravo hits Classic century

Talented left-handed batsman Darren Bravo hit a stroke-filled century to lead defending champions North into a position of strength against South, on the opening day of the 12th edition of the Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Cricket Classic, yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

A carbon copy of former West Indies captain, Brian Lara, Bravo scored 113 as North closed on 273 for six.

It was Bravo’s second consecutive century in the Classic, having scored 103 in last year’s contest at the Oval.

His innings spanned 251 minutes and 152 balls and was enriched with nine fours and two sixes.

Bravo shared in three 50-run partnerships that tilted the balance in his team’s favour.

He featured in a third wicket stand of 53 with out of favour West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons (24), 67 for the fifth wicket with skipper Rayad Emrit who made 28 and 56 with Richard Kelly who is unbeaten on 27. Bravo was the sixth wicket to fall in the 89th over, when he was bowled by allrounder Imran Khan.

It was Khan’s first delivery of the match.

T&T and West Indies left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed was the leading wickettaker for South with two for 47 off 21 overs.

Earlier, North won the toss and opted for first strike. Making his debut for North was 16-year-old T&T’s Under-19 allrounder Yannic Cariah.

North’s opening batsmen Justin Guillen and Mario Belcon started cautiously against the opposition’s pace attack of Ravi Rampaul and Shannon Gabriel. The pair posted 53 in 70 minutes before Belcon (27) who looked in good knick was run out after a terrible mix-up with Guillen.

Eleven runs later, Guillen (26) who looked the part was deceived in flight by West Indies Test discarded off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth and was stumped by wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed.

North went to lunch on 81 for two with Simmons on 10 and Bravo nine. On the resumption, the duo pushed the score along to 117 before the third wicket fell, when Simmons was caught by Jaggernauth at slip off Mohammed’s (D) bowling.

North lost another wicket before the tea break when Kervon Cooper (13) was caught at short fine-leg by captain Darren Ganga off Mohammed (D), which left the home team in s spot of bother on 146 for four.

In between Bravo reached his with a single off Jaggernauth to square -leg. His milestone came off 120 balls and 137 minutes and contained one four and a six.

After the break, Bravo continued to dominate the bowling with a wide array of shots on either side of the wicket.

He brought up his century with a towering six over the long-off boundary off Jaggernauth’s bowling.

The landmark was achieved in 243 minutes and 203 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

Manager/coach of the North team, Richard Kelly Snr said that he is quite satisfied with his side’s position and the decision to bat first was justified.

“ I am pleased with the team’s position thus far. Young Bravo showed a lot of composure and maturity which is a good sign. Looking at the pitch, we could not take the chance to bat last against the Southerners potent spin attack,” Kelly Snr said.

Day two starts at 10 am.

SCOREBOARD

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ CLASSIC
North v South

North 1st Inns
J Guillen stp G Mohammed b Jaggernauth*26
M Belcon run out (Dave Mohammed)*27
L Simmons c Jaggernauth b D Mohammed*24
D Bravo b Khan*113
K Cooper c D Ganga b D Mohammed*13
R Emrit c & b Alert*28
R Kelly not out*27
A Balgobin not out*0
Extras (7b, 3lb, 5nb)*15
TOTAL (for 6 wkts — 94 overs)*273
Wkts: 53, 64, 117, 146, 213, 269.
To bat - Sunil Narine, Yannic Cariah, Navin Stewart.
Bowling: R Rampaul 12-2-32-0 (3nb), S Gabriel 11-2-35-0 (2nb), S Ganga 10-2-26-0, A Jaggernauth 29-2-94-1, A Alert 8-0-27-1, D Mohammed 21-4-47-2, I Khan 3-1-2-1.
Umpires: Khemraj Barrasingha & Joel Wilson.
Stand-by: Perry Galindo.
Match Referee: Clyde Cumberbatch.
Statistician: Rohit Balkissoon.

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ MEMORIAL NORTH/SOUTH CRICKET CLASSIC
December 29th 2008

The following players have been selected to participate in the Gerry Gomez North/South Classic from Dec 28-31 at the Queen's Park Oval.

TEAMS:

North - Rayad Emrit (captain), Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Daron Cruikshank, Justin Guillen, Kevon Cooper, Anthony Balgobin, Richard Kelly, Yannic Cariah, Navin Stewart, Sunil Narine, Rishaad Harris, Kyron Lynch, Mario Belcon. Manager/coach - Claude Phillip.

South - Daren Ganga (captain), Theodore Modeste, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Sanjiv Gooljar, Shannon Gabriel, Amit Jaggernauth, Dave Mohammed, Atiba Alert, Ravi Rampaul, Gibran Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga, Adrian Barath. Manager/coach - Baldath Bodoe.

PIZZA HUT/QPCC GERRY GOMEZ MEMORIAL NORTH/SOUTH CUP CLASSIC
December 29th 2008

Last chance for Carib Beer hopefuls

Defending champions North will be seeking a hattrick of wins when they take on South in the 12th edition of the Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Memorial Cricket Cup Classic.

The four-day classic will bowl off on Sunday at 10 am and will end on Wednesday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The game will also be the final chance for the top local players to address the selectors in their bid to represent the country in the Carib Beer Regional competition which starts on January 9.

North with T&T and West Indies allrounder Rayad Emrit at the helm will be looking to repeat their success of last year, when they convincingly won the game.

Apart from Emrit, their attack will revolve around spinners Yannic Cariah and Sunil Narine and will be backed up by pacers Richard Kelly, Kevon Cooper, Navin Stewart and Rishaad Harris.

National batsmen Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo will be expected to provide the runs with Justin Guillen.

South will be led by T&T’s inspirational captain and middle-order batsman Daren Ganga, who is expected to score the runs along with Adrian Barath, Sherwin Ganga and Imran Khan.

Leading the bowling charge for the Southerners will be Test spinners Dave Mohammed and Amit Jaggernauth along with Magnum Nanan and Sanjiv Gooljar.

Among the top officials expected to meet the players before the scheduled start are Yvette Gomez, wife of the late Gerry Gomez, T&TCB ‘s, Deryck Murray, Forbes Persaud and Leo Doodnath, Prestige Holdings Dane Darbasie and Nishi Ramharrack and Queen’s Park president, Bruce Aanensen.

TEAMS:

North - Rayad Emrit (captain), Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Daron Cruikshank, Justin Guillen, Kevon Cooper, Anthony Balgobin, Richard Kelly, Yannic Cariah, Navin Stewart, Sunil Narine, Rishaad Harris, Kyron Lynch, Mario Belcon. Manager/coach - Claude Phillip.

South - Daren Ganga (captain), Theodore Modeste, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Sanjiv Gooljar, Shannon Gabriel, Amit Jaggernauth, Dave Mohammed, Atiba Alert, Ravi Rampaul, Gibran Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga, Adrian Barath. Manager/coach - Baldath Bodoe.

Cash incentives courtesy T&TCB:

Man of the Match *$3,000.
Each batsman – century *$1,500.
Each bowler – 5 wkts. & more*$1,500.
MVP – each team *$1,000.
Outstanding fieldsman*$1,000.
Outstanding bowler *$1,000.
Outstanding batsman *$1,000.