“CT-20 2013 – First week of tremendously exciting cricket but disappointingly low scores!”

Jan 13, 2013 Sports

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Colin E. H. croft
Yesterday’s game, one greatly anticipated, and reflecting winners of this competition since its inception, Trinidad & Tobago v Guyana, marked the mid-point of this fantastic exhibition of color and tremendously exciting CT-20 2013 cricket.  But scores have been decidedly, disappointingly low!

Was it that, for once, bowlers were actually holding their own, or were batsmen simply poor?  Or were batsmen not coming fully to terms with the always tricky, but not treacherous Queen’s Park Oval pitch?
Up to last Friday’s game, Barbados v Combined Campuses & Campuses, 11th of 13 games played in Trinidad & Tobago, almost 22 full innings, there had been only three scores over 150.  Not good at all!
Given that any full T-20 innings is 120 legal deliveries, allowing for additional wides and no-balls, most T-20 innings consist of at least 130 deliveries.  That alone should almost guarantee a minimum of 150 in every innings, if not 160.  To get there, at just over one run per ball, batsmen need intelligent cricket!
In game No. 3, Guyana just managed to cross the line, in the very last ball, against CCC, very fortunately getting 160-8 after CCC had made 159-3, with Chadwick Walton making that truly magnificent 99 no.  Guyana’s skipper, Verasammy Permaul, erred especially badly with the use of his bowlers, using himself at the very end, instead of perhaps Narsingh Deonarine who had bowled two overs for only eleven runs.
Some suggest that ends justify means.  Guyana did win eventually, Permaul actually redeeming himself with a colossal free-hit six, after Jason Holder had bowled a no-ball at the very wrong time.  CCC was close then, as I suggested they would always be.  They really should have won against Guyana.
Eventually, CCC did dent Barbados’ aspirations, who seem, in that old parlance, to have started the race very quickly, not realizing that this race is long; that only those who survive well along the way, will win!
Trinidad & Tobago’s 187-4 v Leeward Islands; more like what is required; was the 3rd 150+ score, and highest score up to Friday last, Lendyl Simmons and Darren Bravo; 62 and 65 not out respectively, playing with the ease, confidence and cricket knowledge that their international experiences bring.
Barbados, my silent 2nd favorite, after joint favorites T&T and Guyana, has been a very interesting study of self-implosion, perhaps a team much too much caught up in its own ebullience, confidence and hype.
Bim’s boys started brilliantly, blowing away both Leeward Islands; for 87; and a so far surprisingly under achieving Jamaica; for 72; while the Bajans themselves only lost six wickets in both games.  The irresistible Tino Best, showing maturity that playing for West Indies regularly brings, looked awesome!
Barbados’ innings of 66 against Guyana was easily the poorest so far in the tournament.  Their patience and probable disregard of Guyana’s bowling attack allowed them to go headlong into oblivion.   Barbados then continued its ignominy, losing to CCC, which consists of mainly Bajans and Jamaicans!
Individually, Tino Best has been a real revelation, getting two well-deserved four-wicket hauls to date.  He has bowled fast, furious and of a full enough length to seemingly actually scare some of the batsmen.
In any form of cricket, at any level, there is not a better sight than a real fast bowler, not one of those ubiquitous, medium dobblers, racing up to the crease in full flow, slinging Exocet missiles Tino delivered!
As things stand, with following games set for Beausejour Stadium in the stunningly beautiful St. Lucia starting later this week, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago are the obvious, if surprising, form teams.
Continued consistency in SLU should see them both to the semifinals, but that is not a shoo-in.  Any of five or six teams can still win the competition, and I am sure that further upsets are still on.
Guyana’s Narsingh Deonarine has done himself proud with both bat and ball, and Shiv Chanderaul has hung in, even if he has not yet scored really big.  At least, he is still contributing well.   Not so Ramnaresh Sarwan.  He has looked out of sorts and most times; out of position.  He is finding that batting in club cricket in Guyana is not the same as playing against really determined bowlers.
Guyana should certainly be commended for its overall efforts.  After all, it was quite possible that they could not have been involved at all, so late was their team submitted, after the continued impasse between Guyana Cricket Board and some politically headed, and wrongly advised, Interim Committee.
Especially Jamaica and even Barbados will have to up their efforts considerably to appear in the semis.
Jamaica has missed Chris Gayle much, even as no-one understands the explanation given by Jamaica’s Cricket Association about his absence.  Its bowling does, at times, look better than expected, Krismar Santokie taking plaudits.  Tamar Lambert has also led with aplomb, given his team’s batting problems.
CCC, Barbados, along with Windward Islands, playing at home, could still feature, especially CCC, since each can cause further upsets.  This next week could be even more exhilarating in CT-20 2013.  Enjoy!

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