Sherwin Ganga, James revive PowerGen

SHERWIN GANGA and Denzil James both hit half-centuries yesterday to revive PowerGen Sports on the first day of their fourth round Carib National League Division One contest against FCB Clarke Road at Wilson Road, Penal.

Ganga, whose brother Daren is the national captain was unbeaten on 64 while James was 60 not out as the league-leaders PowerGen, who lost three early wickets, closed the day’s play on 148 without further loss.

CLICO Preysal have the upper-hand after yesterday’s play against W Connection Wanderers at the Inshan Ali Park, Preysal. Wanderers were precariously placed at 118 for nine with West Indies Under-19 batsman William Perkins hitting 26 and Joel Pamphille unbeaten on 18.

Trinidad and Tobago off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, warming up for next week’s Carib Beer Cricket Challenge semi-final against the Windward Islands, snared five for 39.

Ex-national off-spinner Rodney Sooklal put the Queen’s Park batsmen in a spin as reigning champs Alescon Comet had the Parkies struggling on 170 for eight at Pierre Road, Charlieville.

Left-handed Justin Guillen offered the only resistance for his team with 75.

Former West Indies left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell destroyed the Joe Public Munroe Road batting as Ceramic Merry Boys seized control of their clash at the Diego Martin Recreation Ground.

The Guyanese all-rounder captured five for 31 while off-spinner Aneil Kanhai claimed two for 32 and Barbadian pacer Ryan Best, two for 43, as they restricted the cellar-placed Munroe Road to 122 for nine.

Kapil Harry was the lone batting spark for the visitors with 41.

Play today resumes at 10 am at all venues.

T&T Newsday

Ganga upbeat about WI future

BRIDGETOWN: Despite another catastrophic overseas tour, West Indies opener Daren Ganga is upbeat about the immediate future and a turnaround in fortunes for the regional team.

Speaking yesterday at the Grantley Adams International Airport shortly after the squad’s return to the Caribbean from New Zealand, Ganga pointed to a level of team spirit, especially in the aftermath of a shock defeat in the First Test.

“Since I made my debut in 1999, this team that we’ve got and the guys we have around, there is a certain uniqueness about the spirit and about the team unity,” Ganga said.

“Although we lost that match and it was very hurtful, we stood by each other, we supported each other and we ensured that we played together.

“The spirit that we have is unique. This is a unit that is working hard together and can make a difference.

“This is a unit that is willing to commit themselves to the success of West Indies cricket.”

After an opening stand of 148 between Ganga and Chris Gayle, West Indies lost the First Test by 27 runs in Auckland when they were set 291 to win.

They also tasted defeat by ten wickets in the Second Test in Wellington before a rain-ruined third Test in Napier

Their fortunes in the limited-overs series were no better, losing the five-match contest 4-1.

“It was really, really hurtful to lose that First Test match knowing how close we were to winning,” Ganga said.

“I thought we played really good cricket and deserved to win. Be that as it may, I think we are one session short of winning Test matches.

“It’s good to see our performance on an overseas tour as well.

“Our record overseas doesn’t say much but we’re on the right path. It’s just a matter of us getting things together, working to-gether as a team and en-suring that we play together as a team.”

In the limited-overs series, West Indies were also in reasonable positions to press for victories, but were unable to capitalise.

“It is just unfortunate that we didn’t click on at crucial points in games, both in the Test matches and one-day matches,” Ganga said.

“We had New Zealand on the ropes on many occasions and it was just a matter of us not understanding the situation and knowing what was required at the point in time.

“We lacked the mental toughness and the tactical toughness as players.”

The majority of the squad returned to the Caribbean, minus captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul who travelled to United States on business while star batsman Brian Lara is also has business matters in India and England.

(CMC)