Blyden riding high in T&T

Constantly overlooked cricketer Travis Blyden currently has the most runs for his professional team Rousillac United in Trinidad & Tobago in all forms of the game.

Travis Blyden

Since  the beginning of his stint in late January Blyden, who plays for Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when he is home, has scored a total of 662 runs and has taken 31 wickets.

So far he has 401 runs and 22 wickets in eight league games.

He has two centuries with scores of 110 and 102 along with four half centuries. The stylish right hander and nippy leg spinner was forced to miss one league match due to the death of his grandfather Clifton Blyden last month.

In the Twenty20 version of the sport he has performed satisfactorily with 93 runs from four games and eight wickets under his belt. In the traditional 50-over format he has had marginal returns, only compiling 168 runs and snaring five wickets from three games.

The former Tutorial High School opener told Stabroek Sport that he has been working on every facet of his game in the twin island republic and he intends to play himself into contention for Demerara and hopefully for national duties.

In a brief telephone interview yesterday Blyden echoed what many cricketers have said in the recent past – that the standard of play in T&T is higher than in Guyana. He noted therefore the onus is always on the player to keep producing at a high level consistently.

Meanwhile, over the weekend Rousillac United, the number seven placed team in the 12-team tournament, played T&TEC Sports Club at the T&TEC ground at Point Lisas in Couva in the T&T national league. T&TEC won the toss and installed Rousillac United, who  made 194.

Blyden was again among the runs with a top score of 68, which was decorated with six fours and a six. He got support from Kevin Acharaji (49). Former West Indies ‘A’ Team player Jason Mohammad took 4-9 with his off-spin. In reply, T&TEC were bowled out for 151 with leg-spinner Blyden bagging 3-37.

In the second innings Rousillac United were routed for 114 with Blyden making 20 and Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) batting all-rounder Elton Baker stroking 21. T&TEC later went on to win when they reached 157-6; Blyden had returns of 2-29.

There are currently three two-day league games and three 50-over matches left to be played. (Marlon Munroe)