North v South in cliff hanger at QP Oval

The 12th edition of the annual Pizza Hut/QPCC Gerry Gomez Memorial North/South Cricket Cup Classic is heading for a blanket finish with the odds seemingly favouring the Southerners. At the end of an extended and enthralling third’s play yesterday at Queen’s Park Oval, defending champions North, with an important first inning lead of 135 runs were tottering on 84 for seven in their second turn at the crease, an overall lead of 219 with three wickets remaining. Wicketkeeper Anthony Balgobin is not out on three and Yannic Carriah one.

SCORES: North 289 & 84-7 South:154.

Led by inspirational captain Daren Ganga, South who is chasing their third title since the inception of the Classic in 1997, clawed their way back into contention through the efforts of a four-pronged spin attack led by West Indies out-of-favour bowlers Dave Mohammed and Amit Jaggernauth. Mohammed (D) is the leading bowler for South with three for 23 from 17 overs. Jaggernauth who was the top wicket taker in North’s first innings chipped in with one for 24 off 19 overs.

Lending good support to his more established colleagues was former T&T U-19 batsman and leg-spinner Imran Khan who bowled superbly to grab two for seven from eight overs. Skipper Rayad Emrit who made 22 is the leading scorer for North thus far. Emrit was the seventh, wicket to fall when he was brilliantly stumped by in-form wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed off Mohammed’s (D) bowling. Earlier, South resumed on the overnight position of 72 for three in their first innings and crashed to 154 all out just after the lunch interval.

Injured fast bowler Ravi Rampaul who was ruled out of action for the next six weeks did not bat for South. Doing the damage for North was medium-pacer Emrit who bagged five for 35 from 17 overs. It was the 15th five-wicket haul in the Classic and Emrit’s first. North’s debutant right-arm leg-spinner Carriah picked up two for 21. In South paltry first innings, the Ganga brothers were leading scorers. Ganga (D) topscored with a polished 42 compiled in 133 minute from 99 balls and which contained four fours, while younger brother Sherwin was unbeaten on 39 made in 228 minutes, from 136 balls with one six. Final day’s play starts at 9.30 am.

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian