Chandrika stars as Guyana beat Trinidad in Haiti benefit match

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Rajindra Chandrika stroked a half-century to lift Guyana to a four-wicket victory over Trinidad and Tobago, in the Haiti relief Twenty20 match here Wednesday night.

Playing at the Queen’s Park Oval in a match organized to raise funds for relief efforts in Haiti following the massive earthquake there last week, the former West Indies Under-19 batsman smashed 67 from 40 balls as Guyana, chasing 165 for victory, reached their target with four balls to spare.

The right-hander cracked five fours and four sixes and posted 76 off 45 balls for the first wicket with Sewnarine Chattergoon who scored 26.

Medium pacer Lendl Simmons accounted for both batsmen to leave Guyana 106 for two and three wickets then fell for one run to leave the visitors in dire straits.

However, middle-order batsman Royston Crandon steadied the ship with an attractive, run-a-ball, unbeaten 30 with two fours and two sixes, to give the Guyanese a well-deserved win.

Simmons finished with four for 27 while left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed claimed two for 19 to lead the Trinidad and Tobago attack.

Earlier, recalled West Indies batsman Simmons brought the venue to life when he lashed a robust 83 off 59 balls to propel T&T to 164 for five off their allotted overs.

The right-hander smashed five fours and five sixes but was a spectator in a 33-run first wicket stand as William Perkins hammered 26 off 14 balls with five fours to upstage him.

Pacer Esaun Crandon was the top bowler for Guyana with two for 21.

The match was a joint effort between the West Indies Players Association, the T&T Cricket Board and the Guyana Cricket Board.