Guyanese hope to avoid T&T in semis as Caribbean 20/20 shifts to Trinidad

Jul 27, 2010 Sports

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By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Digicel

Back-to-back victories in the preliminary round of the Caribbean 20/20 cricket championships in Barbados pushed Guyana into the semis and their final preliminary round match against Barbados here on Thursday will decide the zone ‘B’ winner as the tournament shifts to Trinidad.
After claiming the inaugural regional 20/20 title with victory against T&T in the Stanford final in Antigua in 2006 and losing to Jamaica in the semis two years later in the last regional 20/20 competition, Guyana are just two wins away from dethroning T&T and participating in the Champions League in South Africa in September.
Even if Guyana lose to Barbados on Wednesday at the Queens Park Oval they will still qualify for the semis but after beating the Windward Islands and the Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC), there biggest test is expected to be in Friday’s semi-finals.
In a repeat of the last final, Jamaica and T&T (both unbeaten in Barbados) square off in their final preliminary round game tomorrow at the ‘Oval’ for the top spot in group ‘A’ and both Guyana and Barbados should be paying close attention to that game.
The winner of the game will face the loser of the Guyana, Barbados match in the first semi-final from 16:00hrs on Friday and although there have been no direct comments both teams suggest they hope to avoid T&T in the semis.
Conditions in Trinidad should better favour the Guyanese who should be more comfortable on the lower, slower pitches and their spin-based attack, led by Lennox Cush and Davendra Bishoo should enjoy the conditions.
However, the Daren Ganga led T&T side, with the experience of already playing the Champions League, have looked easily the best of the teams and with their spinners expected to feature more on their home tracks, the defending champions could be hard to beat.

Kieron Pollard is one of the most destructive 20/20 batsmen in the world and his 20-ball unbeaten 53 with 7 sixes and a four against the Leeward Islands must have sent a shudder down the spines of opposition bowlers in this competition.
“We are going well with two wins and a place in the semis. The team is confident and yeah…Trinidad looks very good and we would prefer to play Jamaica in the semis. We have another game in Trinidad before the semis and we are ready for which ever team we have to face,” Manager Carl Moore disclosed.
“They (T&T) are favourites and they have a balanced side. We have watched videos of them and we know what is required. In 20/20 any team can win but it would be nice to stay away from them until the final,” Video Analyst Robin Singh said with a chuckle.
Guyana will have the luxury of knowing which team is the zone ‘A’ winner before their game against Barbados and there is some thought of exposing some of the players who have not yet played to keep them match ready in the event that they are required in the ‘final four’ stage of the tournament.
Moore said that by Wednesday evening his team will know who they will play in the semis if they beat Barbados but dismissed thoughts of them wanting to lose to Barbados if Jamaica beat T&T on Wednesday.
“Yes…if Jamaica top their zone and we finish 2nd we will have to face Jamaica in the semis. But there is no way that any team should want to play to lose a match since winning becomes a habit and when you are on a roll you want to sustain that momentum. Regardless of the outcome of the Trinidad match we will try our hardest to beat Barbados and finish as zone leaders,” Moore explained.

With rain a possibility during the Trinidad leg of the competition, winning the zone could be important since with no reserve day allocated for the semi-finals (there is a reserve day for the Final) in the event of a washed out, the winner of the zone will advance to Saturday’s final.
Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan is one of five players in the Guyana team with West Indies ODI experience and although he is hoping for improvement, he is satisfied with the Barbados leg.
“I think we have done well to get to the semis with a match in hand which allows us to try a few things on Thursday.
The schedule is hectic and the cricket is fast-paced so every team has to be on their toes in every game.
We have beaten both Jamaica and Trinidad at this level and quite a few of the guys here were in the team when we won in 2006 so I think once we stick to the plan and go out and play hard, consistent cricket we should be successful,” Sarwan said.
Guyana is yet to get a good opening start and in both games, Chris Barnwell and teenager Jonathon Foo chipped in with crucial cameos to see their team home and Sarwan is looking forward to the top order ‘clicking’ in the remaining games.
“Travis batted very well in the first match and in this format he is our best batsman while I am very impressed with the raw power of Foo. He came out in his first game and just took the bowling apart.
He has reminded many of Imran Khan (who played in 2006). Barnwell has also played well and Cush has two 4-wicket hauls including another hat-trick,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan was also high in praise for leg-spinner Bishoo who has 5 wickets but wants work to be done, especially in the fielding department.

“Fielding is critical in 20/20 cricket. Our bowling is not that strong and a lot depends on how well Cush and Bishoo do so our fielding has to support. Barnwell showed good control in the last game and that’s a good sign. The pitches in Trinidad should also be more to our liking,” Sarwan opined.
On paper, Guyana’s middle order is strong with Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Barnwell, Foo, Derwin Christian, Esuan Crandon and Cush all capable of big hitting.
Chattergoon’s contribution at the top of the order has been a concern and 20/20 cricket seems not to suit his style although he made a 27-ball 25 in the last match while Sarwan looked good for 29 before his hook shot again caused his demise for the 2nd time in the tournament.
Deonarine and Royston Crandon are yet to fire but their ability is not questioned and with Foo, who could be the find of the tournament, Guyana’s chances, even against T&T, is better than many people think.
Xavier Marshall has 2 fifties while Adrian Barath, Johnson Charles, Pollard and Dowlin are the other batsmen to register fifties with Cush’s 8 wickets being the most by any bowler so far.
Many feel Wednesday’s Jamaica, T&T match is a dress rehearsal for the final but don’t count out Guyana as yet as the trip to South Africa is a massive motivator for the South Americans, hunting their 2nd regional 20/20 title.

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