T&T hat tricks Caribbean T-20 titles

Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Force completed a hat trick in the Caribbean T-20 cricket competition on Sunday.{{more}}

The simple 9-wicket win over Guyana at Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia gave them another crack at the Airtel champions’ league later this year.

Trinidad and Tobago was always the team to beat, having seven players who were part of the triumphant West Indies team that lifted the ICC T-20 World Cup October in Sri Lanka,

Set a modest 117 to win, the Red Force made it all so easy, cantering to 120 for 1 in 12.3 overs.

Lendl Simmons — 52 not out, inclusive of 4 fours and 3 sixes, Evin Lewis – 32 (4 fours and 2 sixes) and Kieran Pollard — 25 not out (1 four and 3 sixes), romped to an emphatic 9-wicket triumph in the last of the competition.

The Caribbean Premier League, which will be made up of six franchises, will replace the Caribbean T-20 competition.

Sent into bat, Guyana, playing their fourth match in as many days, was restricted to 116 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Christopher Barnwell hit 32 and Trevon Griffith made a chancy 29. The two shared in a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Right-handed fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, bowling with hostility, grabbed 2 for 16 and Rayad Emrit, 2 for 18.

In getting to the final, Guyana overcame Jamaica on Saturday night in scintillating fashion.

Chris Gayle, who lit up the St Lucian sky with some power hitting as he smashed 12 sixes and 5 fours off 61 balls, propelled Jamaica to a very competitive 183 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Gayle’s onslaught revived the Jamaica innings after the loss of 3 early wickets for 33 runs off 8.3 overs.

He crashed the 12th over Veeresammy Permaul — the Guyanese captain — for 28 (4 sixes and a boundary) in his lone over.

The powerful left-hander had a fourth wicket stand of 96 in 7.3 overs with his captain, Tamar Lambert, who hit the next best score of 23.

Ronsford Beaton was the most successful Guyanese bowler with 2 for 25, amidst Gayle’s carnage.

But, Gayle’s force delighted all at the venue and the millions watching on television, but it was Christopher Barnwell who winded Jamaica’s progress.

At 34 for 2, after 4 overs, Guyana seemed out of it. But Barnwell shared a third wicket stand of 79 with Trevon Griffith (41) and 64 for the fourth wicket with Narsighn Deonarine off just 4.2 overs to put their team within touching distance.

Barnwell though fell via the run out route for 88 — lacing 7 fours and 4 sixes off 44 balls.

Guyana romped home by 6 wickets, with eight balls to spare in a display of consistent batting, aided by some unimaginative bowling and indifferent out cricket by the Jamaicans. (RT)