Cardinals’ XI win thriller

Dec 02, 2008 Sports

Brian Sukhai

The recently crowned Tapeball 20/20 Champions, Cardinals’ XI held their nerves to win an exciting one wicket victory over a Combined XI last Saturday at the NIS Sports Complex ground, Carifesta Avenue recently.

An unbeaten half century from all rounder Brian Sukhai (56* 4 x fours, 5 x sixes) held Cardinals’ XI innings together and was there to the end to hit the required four runs off the penultimate ball of the 20/20 tapeball game.

On a day blessed with good weather for cricket, Cardinals’ XI won the toss and inserted the opposition to take first strike on a good batting wicket.

The Combined XI, which comprised mainly of well known Tapeball “pros”, started off very shakily as they lost early wickets.

Cardinals’ XI new ball pair of Sukhai and Rawle Munroe (2-17) restricted the Combined XI top order with good bowling and was supported by some exciting display of ground fielding. Former national U-15 all rounder Yogendra Sawh chipped in with 25 (1x four, 2 x sixes) and an attractive 25 (6 x fours) from Kelvin Bovell ensured that the Combined XI reached a respectable 137 off the allotted 20 overs. Medium pacers J. Andrews, K. Indarjit and S. Sertima each picked up a wicket.

Cardinals’ XI made a promising start in reply as openers Indarjit (15, 2x fours) and Marcus Watkins (21, 3 x fours) put on a partnership of 40 from seven overs.

They soon went quickly and Sukhai entered the proceedings and started off watchfully as wickets fell around him as no other batman reached double figures.

The run rate climbed to a game high 11 runs per over, but Sukhai unleashed some well lofted shots, mainly straight over the bowlers’ head before finishing the game in style with extra cover four.

Bowling for the Combined XI, Sawh grabbed 3 wickets, Vyphuis, Earl Adams and left-armer Cordell Sobers each picked up 2 wickets.