Brilliant Bravo hits Classic century

National left-handed batsman Darren Bravo hit a stroke-filled century to lead defending champions North into a position of strength against South, on the opening day of the 12th edition of the Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Cricket Classic, yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval. A carbon copy of former West Indies captain, Brian Lara, Bravo scored 113 as North closed on 273 for six. It was Bravo’s second consecutive century in the Classic, having scored 103 in last year’s contest at the Oval. His innings spanned 251 minutes and 152 balls and contained nine fours and two sixes.

Bravo shared in three 50-run partnerships that tilted the balance in his team’s favour. He featured in a third wicket stand of 53 with out of favour West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons (24), 67 for the fifth wicket with skipper Rayad Emrit who made 28 and 56 with Richard Kelly who is unbeaten on 27. Bravo was the sixth wicket to fall in the 89th over, when he was bowled by allrounder Imran Khan. It was Khan’s first delivery of the match. T&T and West Indies left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed was the leading wickettaker for South with two for 47 off 21 overs. Earlier, North won the toss and opted for first strike. Making his debut for North was 16-year-old T&T’s Under-19 allrounder Yannic Cariah.

North’s opening batsmen Justin Guillen and Mario Belcon started cautiously against the opposition’s pace attack of Ravi Rampaul and Shannon Gabriel. The pair posted 53 in 70 minutes before Belcon (27) who looked in good knick was run out after a terrible mix-up with Guillen. Eleven runs later, Guillen (26) who looked the part was deceived in flight by discarded West Indies off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth and was stumped by wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed. North went to lunch on 81 for two with Simmons on 10 and Bravo nine. On the resumption, the duo pushed the score along to 117 before the third wicket fell, when Simmons was caught by Jaggernauth at slip off Mohammed’s (D) bowling.

North lost another wicket before the tea break when Kervon Cooper (13) was caught at short fine-leg by captain Darren Ganga off Mohammed (D), which left the home team in s spot of bother on 146 for four. In between Bravo reached his century with a single off Jaggernauth to square-leg. His milestone came off 120 balls and 137 minutes and contained one four and a six. After the break, Bravo continued to dominate the bowling with a wide array of shots on either side of the wicket. He brought up his century with a towering six over the long-off boundary off Jaggernauth’s bowling.

The landmark was achieved in 243 minutes and 203 balls with eight fours and two sixes.Manager/coach of the North team, Richard Kelly Snr said that he is quite satisfied with his side’s position and the decision to bat first was justified. “ I am pleased with the team’s position thus far. Young Bravo showed a lot of composure and maturity which is a good sign. Looking at the pitch, we could not take the chance to bat last against the Southerners potent spin attack,” Kelly Snr said. Day two starts at 10 am.

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian