Ganga XI wins trial match

WEST batsman Lendl Simmons returned from injury yesterday to score 35 in the third trial match at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain in preparation for the upcoming KFC Cup regional limited overs competition.

Simmons, who recently suffered a fractured finger, opened the batting for Rayad Emrit’s XI in the match reduced to 30 overs because of rain.

He showed no visible discomfort during his innings and took his team to 95 all out off 28.3 overs. Also among the runs was national Under-19 captain Adrian Barath who got 27. Spinner Nicholas Ramjass grabbed three for 16 and Samuel Badree two for nine.

Daren Ganga’s XI then raced to victory at 96 for four in 22 overs with opener Mario Belcon getting 38 and Justin Guillen getting 27. Emrit grabbed two for 19 while Sherwin Ganga took two for 24.

A fourth trial match is carded for today at the same venue.

Omar Khan, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago team, said despite the reduction in overs, he was still happy the players were able to get much needed action.

He added that the more time the players had in the middle, the better prepared they would be for the KFC Cup.

Khan indicated that West Indies players Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin and Ravi Rampaul will be involved in the next trial match next Saturday.

T&T Newsday