Darren Bravo returns with a half-century in T&T premiership

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s middle-order batsman Darren Bravo, eyeing a return to the West Indies team following his hand injury, struck a solid 68 for Queen’s Park against defending champions PowerGen Sports in the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Premier League yesterday.

Bravo’s effort was all in vain as Queen’s Park CC, chasing PowerGen Sports’ modest first innings total of 185, were dismissed for 169 at Syne Village in Penal.

The left-handed Bravo smashed three fours and three sixes in his innings which lasted 158 minutes and 93 balls. He showed no signs of discomfort during his stay in the middle.

Skipper Samuel Badree (4-76) and former national youth off-spinner Vaaroon Samaroo (3-37) were the top bowlers for the Powergen.

Batting a second time, PowerGen were dismissed for 128, leaving the ‘Parkites’ to get 145 for the win in 11 overs. They reached 38 for two, when stumps were drawn.

Former T&T middle-order batsman Aneil Kanhai and impressive pacer Kervon Christmas combined to snare 19 wickets and bowled title-chasing Ceramic Merry Boys to a comfortable eight-wicket win over W Connection Wanderers at Serpentine Road in St Clair.

The win by Merry Boys extended their lead in the competition to 50 points, after being also victorious in the opening round of the tournament last weekend against Alescon Comets.

At Pluck Road in Fyzabad, Alescon Comets rebounded from their first round defeat, to register a convincing seven-wicket win against newcomers Rahamut’s Evergreen.

Chasing Evergreen first innings total, Comets were dismissed for 201, with off-spinner Jovan Ali claiming five for 45 for the home team.

With a deficit of 56 runs, Evergreen were bundled out for 151, with T&T Under-19 leg-spinner Kissoondath Magram picking five for 35 and left-arm spinner Magnum Nanan three for 48.

Set 96 runs for victory, Comets led by an unbeaten 68 from dropped T&T player Rayad Emrit, reached their target for the loss of three wickets.