Guyana hold on for a draw against T&T
By Sear Devers
Stabroek News
February 4, 2003
A fighting unfinished 44 run seventh partnership between Andre Perciaval and Maendra Nagamootoo ensured Guyana held on for a draw after taking first innings points from Trinidad and Tobago when first round Carib Beer regional four day game ended at the Guaracara Park yesterday.
Set 298 to win two sessions Guyana held on for a draw ending the final day on 192-6 in their second innings with Percival following up his first innings 76 with 30 not out with six fours.
Nagamootoo who played the supporting role in the seventh wicket stand, was unbeaten on five at the end.
Spinners Mukesh Persaud had 3-44 while test leg spinner Dinanauth Ramnarine took 2-63 for the home team.
Scores: T&T 303 and 322-5 declared, Guyana 338 and 192-6.
Trinidad and Tobago began the final day enjoying a lead of 179 runs with five wickets in hand with their captain Ganga on 46 and Navin Chan on 20 and their unfinished sixth wicket stand already worth 63 runs.
In hazy sunshine and watched by the smallest crowd of the match, the home team progressed to 322 for five declared by lunch on a pitch which was deteriorating and lighting fast outfield.
The 24 year old Ganga who scored his second fifth in the match and sixth regional first class half-century, added 175 valuable runs with Chan for the sixth wicket after joining forces on Sunday with the home team in trouble at 151-5.
Chan offered excellent support to his captain in accumulating his maiden first class half-century as the Guyana fielders failed to offer the type of support to the bowlers required at this level with sloppy work in the outfield.
With the runs coming comfortably against defensive field placing by McGarell, the home team dominated the first session as they set about posting a possible victory target for Guyana, who beat them by five wickets at Albion when the teams last met last year.
Ganga, one of four test players in the home team, soon reached his fourth regional first class century, eight at the first class level and third at this ground.
His 100, the second in the competition this season, took 272 minutes, 215 balls and was decorated with seven boundaries to follow up his fluent 89 in the first innings.
By lunch, with the sun out in all its glory, Ganga was unbeaten on 111 from 286 minutes, 225 balls with eight fours while Chan was not out on 66 from 234 minutes, 156 balls with seven fours as 118 runs were scored in the first session.
McGarell finished with 2-42 while Nagamootoo, the fourth highest wicket taker in regional first class cricket with 205 victims, took 2-54.
Guyana, set 298 to win from a minimum of 51 overs plus the 15 mandatory overs began their reply after lunch and were given a solid 74 run start from first innings half-centurion Azeemul Haniff and Sewnarine Chattergoon.
Chattergoon, when apparently well set on 30 from 84 minutes and 50 balls with three fours, off spinner Mukesh Persaud had him taken at short leg to give Trinidad and Tobago the break through.
Krishan Arjune came off the mark with a boundary back over the head of Persaud but was soon bowled by the experienced off spinner for four to leave Guyana on 86-2.
Haniff looked positive and was especially severe on leg spinner Dinanauth Ramnarine whom he hit for a six and four off consecutive balls on his way to his second fifty in the match and thirteenth at the first class level.
Lennox Cush (5) was then trapped LBW by Persaud 30 minutes before tea at 100-3 as the lads from Carnival Country put their team in a strong position to attempt an outright win in the final session.
Haniff (52) and Travis Dowlin (1) then saw Guyana to 103 by tea, 195 runs away from victory with seven wickets in hand.
After the break, Ramnarine sent back Dowlin (4) at 124-4 and the stubborn Haniff two runs later, well taken at silly mid off to leave Guyana on the ropes.
Haniff’s 69 lasted 152 minutes, 125 balls and included eight fours and his demise exposed the lower order especially since McGarell was nursing a slight injury to his shoulder sustained when he was fielding.
Vishal Nagamootoo, sent in ahead of his brother Mahendra and McGarell, was soon sent packing for nine when he gloved a nasty lifting delivery from Black and was well caught at third slip by Jackson to leave the Guyanese on 148-6. Mahendra Nagamootoo joined first innings top scorer Percival and the pair took Guyana to safety as the Trinis went on an all out attack to record a come from behind victory.
Nagamootoo, caught and bowled by Rampaul off a no ball on five at 184-6, batted with great discipline and along with Percival ensured Guyana move on to St. Kitts for their next match which starts on Friday with first innings points (six points).
T&T took three points from the game and will play the West Indies ‘B’ in their next match at the National Cricket Centre, Trinidad’s fourth and newest first class cricket venue.
The Guyana team departs Trinidad this morning for St. Kitts and coach Albert Smith told Stabroek Sport after the game that while he was satisfied with the draw in the end he was disappointed with Guyana’s bowling and fielding in the first session.
“We give away too much runs today and some of our batsmen again got themselves out to loose shots” Smith added.
